Voice legislation passes but still no answers on specifics

Linda Burney has repeatedly refused to define which areas of government decision making will be covered by an Indigenous voice to parliament.

Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Linda Burney has repeatedly refused to define which areas of government decision making will be covered by an Indigenous voice to parliament within hours of the passage of the legislation for the constitutional referendum.

After welcoming the senate decision to ensure the referendum can be held later this year, the Indigenous Australians Minister would not be drawn into what areas of executive government decisions would be subject to an Indigenous voice.

Ms Burney said in response to a Labor question that: “Today the political debate ends, and we can start a national conversation at community level, about what the voice is, why it is needed and how it will make a practical difference.

“For those Australians who want to know more, I say this – the voice is a huge opportunity to take Australia forward, it is our chance to do something practical.”

But when deputy Liberal leader Sussan Ley repeatedly asked Ms Burney to set out what areas would or would not be covered by intervention from the representatives of the voice, she would not offer any specifics.

“In relation to the role of the voice, we have been extraordinarily clear and we have listened to the aspirations of First Nations Australians,” Ms Burney said, adding that if Ms Ley had “listened more carefully to the debate she wouldn’t have to ask that question”.

“The answer to the question is that it has been stated time and time again, that the voice will concern itself with issues that directly affect First Nations people.”

Ms Burney also said she was “appalled” the Coalition had thrown “red herrings” at the government, including a question in the Senate as to whether it would affect the link road in Melbourne.

“I don’t think the voice will have time to worry about the link road in Melbourne,” she said.

Anthony Albanese has previously derided claims the voice representatives will be able to intervene on the dates of public holidays or parking tickets.

Previously Indigenous leaders have contradicted the Prime Minister when he said the voice would not have an impact on foreign affairs, tax or the environment.

Supporters for the Yes campaign have said the voice must have influence on every area of government decision-making, from the Reserve Bank to the Great Barrier Reef and will not be “shut up”.

Support for the Yes campaign has fallen in recent months as the No campaign has called for details of how the voice would work before the referendum vote.

Ms Ley repeated her demands to the Minister, asking: “What areas of public policy will not be within the scope of the voice?”

Ms Burney responded by reading a statement from Liberal MP and supporter of the voice, Julian Leeser, which said the voice would help with practical solutions to Indigenous disadvantage.

Labor MPs reacted angrily to the “loud tone” of an interjection demanding the Minister “answer the question” and Ms Ley repeatedly took points of order asking for the “Minister to answer the question”, which she said “millions of Australians would like an answer to”.

Ms Ley said “with the greatest respect” she did not think the Minister “articulating the challenge the country faces over Closing the Gap” was relevant to the question of what policies were within the scope of the voice.