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| Shaquille O'Neal backs Australian Indigenous vote | Shaquille O'Neal backs Australian Indigenous vote |
| (6 months later) | |
| US basketball legend Shaquille O'Neal has voiced his support for the Indigenous cause in Australia. | US basketball legend Shaquille O'Neal has voiced his support for the Indigenous cause in Australia. |
| Speaking at a news conference with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, he said: "Whatever you need from me, just let me know." | Speaking at a news conference with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, he said: "Whatever you need from me, just let me know." |
| Mr Albanese's centre-left government wants to hold a referendum to change the constitution and give Indigenous people a voice in parliament. | Mr Albanese's centre-left government wants to hold a referendum to change the constitution and give Indigenous people a voice in parliament. |
| He promised it in his victory speech after winning May's elections. | He promised it in his victory speech after winning May's elections. |
| Mr Albanese said the former professional basketballer, who is in Australia on a speaking tour, was well suited to drive public support for his government's bid to increase Indigenous voices to parliament. | Mr Albanese said the former professional basketballer, who is in Australia on a speaking tour, was well suited to drive public support for his government's bid to increase Indigenous voices to parliament. |
| In 2017, Australia's government rejected a proposal to form a body in parliament representing Indigenous peoples. | In 2017, Australia's government rejected a proposal to form a body in parliament representing Indigenous peoples. |
| But Mr Albanese's leadership is pushing for more representation and it is trying to mobilise public support for the plan through sporting figures. | But Mr Albanese's leadership is pushing for more representation and it is trying to mobilise public support for the plan through sporting figures. |
| If approved, his government's "Indigenous Voice to Parliament" initiative would create a permanent Indigenous advisory body to the federal parliament. | If approved, his government's "Indigenous Voice to Parliament" initiative would create a permanent Indigenous advisory body to the federal parliament. |
| 'Australia's colonial legacy not the past for us' | 'Australia's colonial legacy not the past for us' |
| Australia rejects indigenous 'voice' | Australia rejects indigenous 'voice' |
| Why doesn't Australia have an indigenous treaty? | Why doesn't Australia have an indigenous treaty? |
| Mr Albanese said: "We know that Mr O'Neal does a lot of work in the United States about social justice and lifting people up who are marginalised, including through sporting organisations." | Mr Albanese said: "We know that Mr O'Neal does a lot of work in the United States about social justice and lifting people up who are marginalised, including through sporting organisations." |
| He said his government wanted to build "the broadest possible support" and engage with individuals who could connect with young people and all sections of society. | He said his government wanted to build "the broadest possible support" and engage with individuals who could connect with young people and all sections of society. |
| "Shaq has that record," Mr Albanese added, praising him for bringing people together from different backgrounds and "recognising that Australian history didn't begin in 1788". | "Shaq has that record," Mr Albanese added, praising him for bringing people together from different backgrounds and "recognising that Australian history didn't begin in 1788". |
| Indigenous Affairs Minister Linda Burney, who also spoke at the news conference, said O'Neal requested to be involved and described the mission for change as "a noble task". | Indigenous Affairs Minister Linda Burney, who also spoke at the news conference, said O'Neal requested to be involved and described the mission for change as "a noble task". |
| The four-time NBA champion said: "I'm here in your country, whatever you need from me, just let me know. | The four-time NBA champion said: "I'm here in your country, whatever you need from me, just let me know. |
| "Appreciate you guys, and God bless you guys, and everyone knows Shaq loves Australia, alright? Alright, I'll see you soon." | "Appreciate you guys, and God bless you guys, and everyone knows Shaq loves Australia, alright? Alright, I'll see you soon." |
| Details on how the government intends to include more Indigenous voices in parliament will be disclosed after the national referendum takes place. | Details on how the government intends to include more Indigenous voices in parliament will be disclosed after the national referendum takes place. |
| What do Indigenous Australians want from the election? | What do Indigenous Australians want from the election? |
| What do Indigenous Australians want from the election? | What do Indigenous Australians want from the election? |
| Related Topics | |
| Indigenous Australians | |
| Australia |