To the surprise of absolutely no one, the “Indigenous Voice” referendum has been rubber-stamped by the political class, with the enabling legislation passed by parliament. Now, it’s up to the people to decide.
But if the left want the referendum to pass, then they might want to stop dodging and lying on every question put to them about it. Because, just months out from the referendum, even the people who created it apparently have no idea how it will actually work.
Or they’re lying through their teeth.
Consider the following parliamentary exchange and make up your own mind.
[Indigenous Affairs Minister Linda Burney], who was asked by deputy Liberal leader Sussan Ley if the Indigenous voice to parliament and executive government would be able to make representations to the defence force chief on military acquisitions or the location of bases, said: “The voice will make representations that affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, but the voice will not run programs, it will not deliver funding and it will not have the power of veto.
“I can tell you what the voice will not be giving advice on: it won’t be giving advice on parking tickets, it won’t be giving advice on changing Australia Day. It will not be giving advice on all of the ridiculous things that this side has come up with.”
Two things to note, there.
Firstly, Burney didn’t actually answer Ley’s question at all. She deflected, giving ‘answers’ to questions no one had actually asked.
Secondly, Burney went one further – and shot herself right in the foot. Burney’s claim that the Voice wouldn’t give advice on changing Australia Day has immediately been shot down by by Constitutional lawyers and Voice activists.
Aboriginal leaders and constitutional law experts cast doubt over Ms Burney’s declaration in parliament that the voice would not make representations on Australia Day, saying the controversial topic could become an issue the advisory body wants to pursue.
The opposition have pounced on Burney’s slip-up.
Deputy Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has called on Indigenous Affairs Minister Linda Burney to correct her claims that the voice would not give advice on changing the date of Australia Day […]
Ms Ley on Wednesday said the Albanese government needed to answer “basic questions” about what the voice would do and argued Ms Burney was in “real trouble”.
She said Ms Burney needed to “correct the record” in the lower house today to avoid misleading parliament.
As Ley rightly points out, not even the government seems to be clear on what their own referendum will or won’t do. Smart-alecky blatherskite about parking tickets and false assertions about Australia Day are only going to make the government look more deceitful and untrustworthy.
And making open threats isn’t helping the “Yes” campaign, either.
Yes23 campaign director Dean Parkin and Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney have distanced themselves from comments made by prominent Yes campaigner Thomas Mayo, who threatened that politicians would be punished if they ignore the voice advisory body.
Mr Mayo – who sits on the board of Australians for Indigenous Constitutional Recognition which leads the Yes23 campaign – has previously said colonial institutions must be torn down and that the voice was a step towards “reparations and compensation”.
Who are we going to believe, though? The guy who co-wrote the The Voice to Parliament Handbook? Or the shills trying to sell us on a race-based Constitutional amendment that only stinks more and more, the more we’re told – or lied to – about it?
Lushington describes himself as Punk rock philosopher. Liberalist contrarian. Grumpy old bastard. This article was first published HERE
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