Indigenous voice to parliament: Liberal MP Aaron Violi could be swayed by change in wording

Taking out reference to ‘executive government’ in the constitutional amendment could change the minds of some in the party room, a Liberal MP says, despite Noel Pearson claiming otherwise.

Liberal MP Aaron Violi says the legal challenges presented by the voice being allowed to advise executive government was one of his key sticking points. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Liberal MPs with concerns over the Indigenous voice to parliament would consider backing the Yes campaign if Labor removed “executive government” from the constitutional amendment due to be debated in parliament next week.

It follows Indigenous leader Noel Pearson claiming a change in the amendment – which could also include additional words being added to mitigate the perceived legal risk of the voice being empowered to advise executive government – would not change the hearts and minds of any new Liberals.

Mr Pearson said that the former legal affairs spokesman for the opposition, Julian Leeser, had admitted this much to him.

“He said no new people would come on-board if this change was made,” Mr Pearson told the ABC.

However, numerous backbenchers said that a revision of the wording would be significant and have an impact on their position.

Casey MP Aaron Violi said the legal challenges presented by the voice being allowed to advise executive government was one of his key sticking points.

“If the government made a meaningful attempt to modify the risk … it would alleviate one of the significant concerns I have with the proposal,” Mr Violi told The Australian.

Mr Violi said he had not finalised his position on the voice at this time and was still engaged in community consultation.

A senior Liberal, who asked to remain anonymous, said a compromise in wording would “force a reconsideration” of the position on the voice for many within the party.

It follows referendum working group member Sean Gordon raising concern this week over if the referendum would truly be “winnable” should the voice be allowed to advise executive government, arguing in The Australian that the uncertainty over resulting legal challenges would be an effective “tool” for the no campaign.

Darkinjung Aboriginal Land Council chief executive Sean Gordon. Picture: Sue Graham

Victorian Liberal senator David Van said while he fully supported the position of the party room, he would look closely at any change in wording in the constitutional amendment.

“It would certainly give me cause to stop and look at it again,” he said.

“If they took out executive government … I think that's a step in the right direction.”

Mr Van said other concerns, such as how local and regional voices would work, would also need to be looked at before he would consider throwing his support behind the body.

Supporters of the voice within the party include Mr Leeser, Bridget Archer and Andrew Bragg – all of whom are free to vote however they choose on the constitutional amendment because they are on the backbench.

NSW senator Andrew Bragg. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

Senior Liberals have defended the decision for frontbenchers not to be given a free vote, with opposition legal affairs spokeswoman Michaelia Cash telling The Australian this month that on an issue as important as constitutional change, it was critical the party had a “united position”.

Other Liberal branches, including Victoria and NSW, have given their members a free vote.

Menzies MP Keith Wolahan, who sat on the committee that examined the constitutional amendment, said there was “only upsides to amending the wording”.

“It is constitutionally responsible, but will also give comfort to a percentage of the public who want to vote Yes, but still have reservations,” he said.

“I would in good faith consider any amendment to the wording and, if it reduced risk, would publicly say so.”

However, Mr Wolahan said he would still be inclined to vote No at the referendum, because the constitutional amendment put at risk “equality of citizenship”.

Other Liberal members, including NSW senator Hollie Hughes, WA senator Matt O’Sullivan, Queensland MP Phillip Thompson and Tasmanian MP Gavin Pearce also said the removal of executive government would not address their key concerns over the constitutional amendment, which they said “divided people on the basis of race”.