Voice referendum must trump republic plebiscite, Aboriginal academics insist

Bill Shorten’s proposal for a republican plebiscite is facing an assault from prominent indigenous figures.

Marcia Langton says indigenous Australian do not support a republican plebiscite being held before a referendum on the voice. Picture: James Croucher

Bill Shorten’s proposal for a ­republican plebiscite faces an assault from prominent indigenous figures who are calling on Labor to dump the policy and focus on establishing an indigenous voice to parliament.

Leading indigenous academics Megan Davis, Marcia Langton and Eddie Synot say the campaign for an indigenous voice should be given clear air.

The Greens are also urging Labor to dump a first-term plebiscite on the republic, along with Maritime Union of Australia Northern Territory branch secretary Thomas Mayor.

At its national conference last month, Labor committed to making the voice a priority for constitutional change but did not commit to a timeline on a referendum.

Professor Davis said Labor should junk its plans for a first-term plebiscite on the republic. “The referendum for a constitutionally enshrined voice is the civic question that has actively occupied the minds of Australians for eight years,” she said. “This referendum requires clear air. We want a just republic, not just a republic.’’

Professor Langton said she had not spoken to a single indigenous Australian who supported a republican plebiscite being held before a referendum on the voice.

“It kills off the chance of our issues getting clear air,” she said. “It is pretty clear that republicans, while they think they have a handle on our issues, clearly don’t.”