Pesutto declines to back Dutton’s Voice rejection

Liberal leader John Pesutto has refused to back his federal counterpart Peter Dutton’s opposition to a constitutionally enshrined Indigenous Voice to parliament.

Pesutto on Thursday said he was keeping an “open mind” on supporting the upcoming referendum, with the issue expected to be debated in the Victorian Coalition party room next month.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, left, and the Opposition Leader John Pesutto.Credit: The Age

“I’m genuinely considering all aspects of the debate,” Pesutto said on Thursday.

“I don’t really want to comment on what the federal Liberals are doing. My responsibility as the Victorian Liberal leader is to make sure that the course we’re adopting is inclusive.

“As we go through this very important debate, we have to recognise … [that we have] a common goal: to remove the scourge of disadvantage that still affects our First Nations people.”

Premier Daniel Andrews, however, was unequivocal on Dutton’s decision, labelling the federal Liberals a “mean, nasty outfit”.

“[Their] hearts [are] about as big as their dwindling primary vote,” the premier said. “I really just can’t understand why any mainstream political party, a party that would have us all believe they are a party of government, would take that position.”

Pesutto’s comments represent a softening of his position since February, when he said there was not enough information available to support a Yes vote.

Several Liberal MPs who were not authorised to speak publicly told The Age they expected the party room to discuss the matter when parliament returns from the Easter break.

Pesutto will face pressure from his party’s moderate faction to personally back constitutional change despite strong opposition from within the party room, given Tasmanian Liberal Premier Jeremy Rockliff’s decision to back the Voice and positive comments from former NSW premier Dominic Perrottet.

The latest Resolve Political Monitor, conducted between February and March, estimated that 61 per cent of Victorians back the Yes campaign – the highest level of support among any state.

Thirty-nine per cent of Victorians are expected to vote No, according to the same polling.

Dutton has proposed symbolically recognising Indigenous Australians in the constitution without enshrining into the nation’s founding document a new Voice advisory body. He has said he would actively campaign against it.

Following Dutton’s announcement on Wednesday, Pesutto’s office released a statement saying: “The Victorian Liberals and Nationals have an open mind on the federal government’s proposed constitutional amendment. We remain committed to supporting initiatives that Close the Gap and deliver positive outcomes for Indigenous Victorians.”

However, Victorian Nationals leader Peter Walsh has previously backed his federal counterpart David Littleproud’s opposition to a referendum. Walsh did not return calls on Thursday.

Federation University’s Professor Emma Lee, a Trawlwulwuy woman from north-east Tasmania, said the Victorian opposition should allow its members a free vote and that MPs would be wise to back a federal Voice.

“Victorians are comfortable with the progression of Aboriginal rights,” she said.

“It’s no surprise that Victoria has the highest support for an Indigenous Voice.

“It would be a shame if the Victorian Liberal [and Nationals parties are] not listening to the entire electorate on this issue. The Victorian opposition is in a unique position of ... building the party up again.”

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