I recently spent some time with Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price discussing The Voice and the reasons why I will be voting no at the upcoming referendum.
We all acknowledge Indigenous Australians have been let down by successive governments, successive departments with boards paid to represent them.
And sadly, it has meant Indigenous Australians have not been able to close the gap.
There is so much Indigenous Heritage to celebrate in the Forde Community, and I am proud to have worked, and continue to work, closely with some fantastic local Indigenous groups right across the electorate that I continue to represent.
However, we can’t divide Australians based on culture, and that is what the Voice will do.
Whilst I have had some constituents call into my electorate office, asking me to support this divisive Voice, other have shared their opposing views.
Importantly, I have also had many Indigenous constituents contact me voicing their opposition to the Voice.
Comments from those who have contacted my office have included ‘that it will divide Australians’ & ‘the proposal lacks detail.’
I believe that all Australians want to see real change, and a real closing of the gap for all our indigenous communities, including the communities within Forde.
However, this change cannot happen by creating two different classes of citizen.
How can something that is divisive, be expected to deliver any positive change?
Why should Indigenous people trust the Labor Government to deliver meaningful change when they have gone back on many promises already?
No Government should provide so little detail on such an important and permanent decision, and then ask you to trust that everything will work itself out once it has been passed.
Australians deserve all the details before they vote.
I support Australians people having their say.
However, I will be voting no at the referendum. I want to urge you to think carefully before casting your vote.
Do not feel pressured to vote a certain way.
And before you cast your vote, I encourage you to read the Fair Australian Campaign at Fair Australia.com.au…
I will not stop supporting the call for Indigenous recognition in the constitution.
