Anthony Albanese says ‘racist pigs’ abuse hurled at Indigenous voice to parliament opponents was ‘nasty’

Jacinta Nampijinpa Price said Anthony Albanese was responsible for the racism and division in Australia during the referendum.

Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, opposition Indigenous Australians spokeswoman, speaks at a No campaign launch in Adelaide. Picture: NCA Newswire/ Morgan Sette

Anthony Albanese has condemned “nasty behaviour wherever it occurs” after No campaigners were labelled “racist pigs” and “racist dogs”, conceding some of the tone of the voice referendum debate has been unfortunate.

As leading No campaigner Jacinta Nampijinpa Price declared the Prime Minister had to take responsibility for the racism and division in Australia, Mr Albanese urged voters to be respectful and debate the referendum question before them.

Peter Dutton also urged Australians to participate in the voice debate respectfully, lashing the “deeply disturbing” protest.

Video taken by South Australian Liberal senator Alex Antic walking into Fair Australia’s No campaign launch in Adelaide on Monday evening shows protesters yelling “racist dog”, “racist pig” and “crazy wankers”.

Senator Price and Indigenous leader Warren Mundine were the headline speakers of the event.

“I condemn nasty behaviour wherever it occurs,” Mr Albanese said.

“Of course some of the tone of the debate has been unfortunate. That’s the truth. What I would say to people is be respectful. I respect every Australian regardless of whether they’re going to vote Yes or whether they’re going to No.”

The Opposition Leader said people who had decided to vote No had “done so for good reason”.

“They have listened to the debates. Many of them are frustrated with the fact that the Prime Minister is deliberately withholding information,” Mr Dutton said.

“People don’t understand the model and the scenes that we’ve seen are disturbing because people are entitled to their views. I have a great deal of respect for people who are voting either Yes or No.”

Walking into the launch of the @FairAusADV NO to the Voice campaign in Adelaide this evening.

Is this the “unity” the Australian Labor Party promised us their referendum was going to bring? pic.twitter.com/3Iyi6yYXUo

— Senator Alex Antic (@SenatorAntic) September 18, 2023

Senator Price said there had been bullying, gas lighting and manipulative behaviour during the referendum campaign.

“This is the level of racism and division that the Prime Minister has to take responsibility for in this country right now. Where people like myself, people like my incredible colleagues here, are singled out because apparently as Indigenous people we’re supposed to agree with a proposal that is empty,” she said in Adelaide on Monday.

“We’re supposed to agree with leftist ideology as opposed to thinking for ourselves and certainly to inform the Australian people as to the danger to voting yes. We must vote no for unifying this nation, for maintaining equality in our country. We’re having conversations with Aboriginal people from grassroots communities who are dead set against this, they see the dangers in this, and we’re here to represent those voices.”

Mr Albanese seized on divisions within the No camp, after Mr Mundine split from Senator Price to declare his support for treaties and changing Australia Day four weeks out from the October 14 referendum.

Senator Price has also been cautious in backing a second referendum solely on constitutional recognition - which Mr Dutton has committed to pursuing if he wins the next election - saying any future process must involve all Australians.

“There has been a significant fear campaign going on raising a whole lot of issues that won’t be impacted by October 14, including issues in which people in the No camp Warren Mundine has a very different view from Jacinta Price who has a different view from Peter Dutton,” Mr Albanese said.

“Peter Dutton appears to want for this referendum to be defeated, for him to win the next election and then have another referendum. That to me makes no sense to reject what Indigenous people are asking for, which is a very modest and simple request.”

Asked on Monday if he was worried his support for treaties would cost him any tilt at replacing Marise Payne as a NSW senator, Mr Mundine responded: “I’m worried about this lie that the Albanese government is running about a referendum that is costing hundreds of millions of dollars that could be better spent in those communities, getting kids to school, getting people into businesses, getting jobs. That’s what I’m worried about and that’s my total focus, is to make sure this referendum doesn’t get up.”