Lidia Thorpe, a senator for the Green Party, has launched a harsh assault on Anthony Albanese’s Indigenous Voice to Parliament, calling it a “wasted exercise” that might have been better used elsewhere.
The Voice, a committee that would advise the government on how policies would impact Indigenous people, is something that the prime minister wants to include in the Constitution.
Whether she will personally support or oppose the Voice is a decision that the indigenous senator has not made yet.
However, she feels that the money spent on a potential vote would be better used to support indigenous people.
“I believe it to be a waste of money.” What a pointless effort. Senator Thorpe told Nine Newspapers that a treaty is not need to be approved by a referendum.
She stated that she has never received a call from the Labor administration asking about the Voice.
If the Coalition declines to support the idea, the federal government will need the Greens’ backing to pass a bill authorising a referendum.
It’s difficult to say whether you can support something you don’t understand, according to Senator Thorpe, given that we don’t even know what this [Voice] looks like, what the [referendum] question will be, or any other specifics.
She made a suggestion that if suggestions were made that would save native lives, she may provide her support.
Greens leader Adam Bandt assured the party is once again committed to bargaining “in good faith” in response to the senator’s remarks.
The spokesman said, “As we work to advance all elements of the Uluru Statement, the federal government can make significant improvements to the lives of First Nations peoples immediately.”
Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price of the Coalition is against the Voice, but opposition leader Peter Dutton claims to be “keeping an open mind.”
The Prime Minister wants to give time for a discussion about what an Indigenous voice would entail and wants all Australians to have ownership over the referendum process.
It’s a really straightforward proposal, according to Mr. Albanese, to establish a voice and a body that would be consulted for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our constitution.
It is only a question of good manners and respect to acknowledge people in the constitution and then consult them on issues that directly affect them, not because it is a third chamber of parliament or a decision-making body.
Pictured with Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney (left) and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is NBA great Shaquille O’Neal (centre) (right)
When the two met this weekend, he justified his choice to seek the aid of former US basketball player Shaquille O’Neal.
Senator Thorpe criticised O’Neal for trying to promote The Voice because of his connections to the gambling business, which has a negative impact on Aboriginal communities in particular.
On Monday, Ms. Thorpe said on 3AW radio, “I mean, he’s here on a speaking tour, good on him, and he’s also here for PointsBet which is about gambling and which is about ruining families.
He is meddling with matters that have nothing to do with him.
He should refrain from criticising since he is ignorant of the situation in our nation.
You may have a treaty without holding a referendum,
Senator Lidia Thorpe said that a treaty is not need to be put to a vote.