Warren Mundine quits Senate race after treaty talk
Warren Mundine will withdraw from the race for former defence minister Marise Payne’s spot in the Senate after making comments on Indigenous treaties and the date of Australia Day.
Prominent Indigenous leader Warren Mundine will withdraw from the race for former defence minister Marise Payne’s spot in the Senate after making comments on Indigenous treaties and changing the date of Australia Day at odds with both the Coalition and the No side in the looming voice referendum.
Mr Mundine, who ran for the Liberal Party in the seat of Gilmore at the 2019 federal election, is understood to have decided to stay in the business sector after his remarks provoked criticism within Coalition ranks and exposed the No campaign to accusations of division.
Mr Mundine on Sunday told the ABC’s Insiders he supported treaties because they resolved issues around sovereignty and protected Indigenous culture and heritage and said treaties were more likely to occur if the voice referendum was voted down.
This contradicts a key claim from the No camp that a Yes result would pave the way for treaties because the Uluru Statement from the Heart asks for voice, treaty and truth.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has previously said he would not prioritise treaty negotiations that “would cost billions” and “just see rich lawyers in Sydney and Melbourne get richer”.
He instead committed to taking the same constitutional recognition and voice policies to the next election.
Mr Mundine also acknowledged that he disagreed with the No side on changing the date of Australia Day, with retaining January 26 part of the No camp’s pitch to voters.
Leading No campaigners have cautioned the voice will try and change Australia Day as part of its pitch to voters to reject the October 14 referendum.
“We are just arguing and arguing and arguing about this, and this is one of the reasons why I believe that the idea that the voice, when it is set up, isn’t going to talk about Australia Day is nonsense,” he said. “We need to confront it and talk about it.”
Mr Mundine’s withdrawal leaves former NSW transport minister Andrew Constance as the frontrunner in the race for the NSW Liberal Senate seat.
Mr Mundine will travel around Australia with fellow Indigenous leader and No campaigner Jacinta Price, who does not support treaties or changing the date of Australia Day, for the final stretch of the campaign ahead of the vote on October 14.
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