‘Tough’: ABC TV host Tony Armstrong reveals unexpected views on the voice referendum
One of the best-loved faces on Australian television has weighed in on the voice referendum debate, sharing some surprising views.
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Popular ABC host Tony Armstrong has shared some unexpected thoughts on the voice as Aussies prepare for the first referendum in almost a quarter of a century.
Later this year, the nation will head to the polls to decide whether or not to change the
Australian constitution to enshrine a permanent Indigenous voice to parliament.
If the referendum passes, a federal advisory body will be formed with the purpose of recognising and representing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and consulting with the government.
Speaking with Stellar editor-in-chief and Something To Talk About podcast host Sarrah Le Marquand, Armstrong – who is regularly and affectionately referred to as “Australia’s boyfriend” – revealed a major issue with the looming vote.
“What I do think people need to remember with the voice is that a vote for yes and a vote for no can both be good things,” Armstrong, who is Indigenous, said.
“It’s not a binary thing here, we aren’t in a world where no is bad and yes is good.
“What this is asking is about, particularly Aboriginal people, who I think should be the ones talking the most about this – this is about what is best for Aboriginal people. And I don’t know diddly squat.
“I’m leaving it to the people who actually know their c**p to give advice on it. But what I do think is lost in the conversation is the fact that it’s not binary.
“I guess the irony, regardless of whichever way it goes, the irony will be, it’s not necessarily going to be the black fellas whose vote makes a difference.”
The ABC News Breakfast host and Logie winner said he wasn’t sure if the referendum would pass or not, but stressed that either way, the ultimate result would be “far more nuanced, and far more complex” than simply good or bad.
The 33-year-old also opened up about how “tough” it was dealing with the pressure of being expected to “step up” and speak out on Indigenous issues, and the fact that any “stuff up” by an Indigenous person didn’t just reflect on them personally, but on their “whole people”.
“I know that … most of us, just about all of us would love to be able to strike, you know, ‘Indigenous’ from before our name when we’re talking about whatever it is that we might be doing … And I guess, the other side of that coin is, we’ll keep stepping up because we have to, because we do feel that responsibility,” the former AFL player said.
“But I mean, it’s just an added load. And, you know, I guess to be a black fella, is to be political, whether you like it or not … And that’s tough.
“It’d be nice to just be able to worry about your job and then not have the extra stress.”
Armstrong’s comments come as the debate over the voice grows increasingly ugly.
Last week, as part of a submission by Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus to the parliamentary inquiry on the referendum, the Solicitor-General’s opinion – dated April 19 – says the proposed voice would not “fetter or impede the exercise of the existing powers of the parliament”.
For months, the Opposition has been calling on the Government to release the advice – but upon its release, the Opposition claimed it was not the same as the formal advice given to Cabinet before the final proposed amendment was announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Shadow Attorney-General Michaelia Cash said not releasing the full advice the Opposition had been repeatedly calling for was “a cynical political tactic to confuse Australians”.
“The failure to release all of the Solicitor-General’s advice in relation to this matter yet again highlights the lack of transparency of the Albanese Government regarding their Canberra voice proposal,” she said in a statement.
But Mr Albanese said the release would put to bed the “absolute nonsense” claims of Opposition leader Peter Dutton and Barnaby Joyce.
“All the nonsense that they have carried on with, saying that somehow recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the constitution will lead to Anzac Day being abolished, it is complete nonsense,” he said.
“They are just determined to play politics with this.
“This is legally sound, and that is what the Solicitor-General’s advice, that is clear before the committee, has submitted.”
Originally published as ‘Tough’: ABC TV host Tony Armstrong reveals unexpected views on the voice referendum
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