Wheels Falling Off the Indigenous Voice Wagon By James Reed
Good work everyone who lobbied the Nationals. They are not going to support the Indigenous voice referendum, which will only put into place one more level of bureaucracy and not help Aboriginal people. Aboriginal senator Jacinta Price joined Nationals leader David Littleproud at the press conference. This is going well to defeat the voice referendum. Pressure now needs to be put on the Liberals, who to date have been weak on this issue, like most issues. But, for once some good news to report.
“The National Party will not support the Indigenous Voice to Parliament, claiming it will do little to help First Nations people.
Nationals leader David Littleproud declared the regional party's position standing alongside Aboriginal senator Jacinta Price at Parliament House on Monday.
Mr Littleproud said his party spoke with indigenous leaders and claimed the Voice would not help close the gap between First Nations and white Australians.
'We believe empowering local indigenous communities, giving them the power at a local level, not creating another layer of bureaucracy here in Canberra,' he said.
'This is not a voice for regional, rural and remote Australians. This is one for those who live in Redfern, they'll be OK.
'But just think about those Indigenous Australians that live in Central Australia. They're not going to have a voice out of this, they'll have another layer of bureaucracy that won't shift the dial of the legacy we get to leave.'
Mr Littleproud said he instead wanted to give rural indigenous communities the opportunities those in the cities enjoyed every day.
Senator Price slammed Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney for visiting remote communities 'dripping in Gucci' and telling them 'what they need'.
'We have to stop dividing this nation on the lines of race. We will not be supporting a failed model,' she said.
'It's not racist to disagree with a proposal … that lacks detail and divides us on the lines of race,'
Senator Price said she hoped Australians would vote against a referendum to establish the Voice if one was called.”
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