Liberal leaders refuse to join Dutton’s ‘no’ campaign on voice
The highest-ranking Liberal in office, Jeremy Rockliff, says he will campaign ‘vigorously’ for the Indigenous voice to parliament as state Liberal leaders refuse to join Opposition leader Peter Dutton’s No campaign.
The highest-ranking Liberal in office, Jeremy Rockliff, says he will campaign “vigorously” for a constitutionally enshrined Indigenous voice to parliament as state Liberal leaders refuse to join Peter Dutton’s No campaign.
Two state Liberal leaders will support the Yes campaign ahead of the national referendum, two say they have an “open mind” about the voice and none has declared support for the federal Opposition Leader’s position.
The federal Liberal Party on Wednesday rejected Anthony Albanese’s proposed model to enshrine a voice in the Constitution, instead supporting constitutional recognition and a legislated voice.
Tasmanian Premier Mr Rockliff, Australia’s only Liberal premier, told The Australian that while recognising there was “discussion” around the wording of the referendum question, he would “vigorously” campaign for a Yes vote. “My views are clear: this is a pivotal moment in our nation’s history,” he said.
“I fully support the voice being enshrined in the Australian Constitution. I welcome discussion around the wording.
“I recognise and respect there are differing opinions (but) I will campaign vigorously for a Yes vote as I passionately believe it is an important opportunity for all Australians to move forward in unity and understanding.”
In Western Australia, the opposition is led by the Nationals whose leader, Shane Love, supports a constitutionally enshrined Indigenous voice.
WA Liberal leader Libby Mettam will also be supporting the Yes campaign. “Personally, I will be voting yes as I support recognition of our First Nations people in the Constitution, but I also strongly support all Australians being able to make their own decision,” Ms Mettam told The Australian on Wednesday.
In Mr Dutton’s home state of Queensland, LNP leader David Crisafulli said he still had an “open mind” about the voice and encouraged others to do the same.
In a joint statement, Victorian Liberal leader John Pesutto and Nationals leader Peter Walsh said their parties also had an “open mind” on the Albanese government’s proposed constitutional amendment.
None of the top contenders for the NSW Liberal leadership would offer a position, but former premier Dominic Perrottet previously said he supported the voice “in principle”.
Northern Territory Country Liberal Party leader Lia Finocchiaro said her party was not opposed to the voice but “believes more detail needs to be given”.
All state Labor leaders have backed the voice, with South Australia in March becoming the first jurisdiction in the country to establish a voice to parliament.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says people in her state were “looking for more information” and the commonwealth needed to “step up into that space and explain it”.
An exclusive Newspoll conducted for The Australian this week showed a majority of Australians in a majority of states support enshrining a voice in the Constitution except in Queensland, where 49 per cent were in favour and 43 per cent were in the No camp.
“The federal government needs to be a lot more proactive, as well as First Nations people, in terms of explaining what it means,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“I think people are after the detail and I can understand there would be some hesitancy and what it is, is basically people wanting more information. I will be talking to the Prime Minister about how they can give clearer information.”
Mr Dutton said he had spent “literally months” trying to understand the proposed voice. “We cannot get the basic detail out of them. We think it is deliberate. We are waiting, waiting for advice.”
When asked if he will act on his opposition to the proposed model, Mr Dutton said: “I will be.”
“I don’t think this is in our country’s best interest,” he said.
Additional reporting: Paige Taylor, Jenna Clarke, Rachel Baxendale, Liam Mendes, Max Maddison
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