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| Peter Dutton confirms Liberals will oppose Indigenous voice to parliament | Peter Dutton confirms Liberals will oppose Indigenous voice to parliament |
| (4 months later) | |
| Opposition leader says he will actively campaign against the voice, claiming it ‘won’t deliver outcomes to people on the ground’ | Opposition leader says he will actively campaign against the voice, claiming it ‘won’t deliver outcomes to people on the ground’ |
| The Liberal leader, Peter Dutton, will actively campaign against the Indigenous voice referendum, directing his frontbench to oppose the proposal. | The Liberal leader, Peter Dutton, will actively campaign against the Indigenous voice referendum, directing his frontbench to oppose the proposal. |
| Dutton has instead proposed symbolic recognition in the constitution and a legislated voice, both suggestions which have long been rejected by Indigenous communities and the Uluru statement from the heart. | Dutton has instead proposed symbolic recognition in the constitution and a legislated voice, both suggestions which have long been rejected by Indigenous communities and the Uluru statement from the heart. |
| The opposition leader claimed the proposal advanced by the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, based on years of consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, would not deliver positive results. | The opposition leader claimed the proposal advanced by the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, based on years of consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, would not deliver positive results. |
| “We have been clear we don’t support his Canberra voice. It is divisive and won’t deliver the outcomes to people on the ground,” Dutton claimed. | “We have been clear we don’t support his Canberra voice. It is divisive and won’t deliver the outcomes to people on the ground,” Dutton claimed. |
| The Indigenous Australians minister, Linda Burney, accused Dutton of “tying himself in knots”, alleging the decision was made by Dutton to secure his leadership in a tense party room after the historic Aston byelection loss. | The Indigenous Australians minister, Linda Burney, accused Dutton of “tying himself in knots”, alleging the decision was made by Dutton to secure his leadership in a tense party room after the historic Aston byelection loss. |
| The Liberal party convened a snap, extraordinary meeting in Canberra this morning to discuss the Indigenous voice referendum. | The Liberal party convened a snap, extraordinary meeting in Canberra this morning to discuss the Indigenous voice referendum. |
| Guardian Australia understands that the majority of speakers were in favour of the leader’s position, opposing a constitutionally-enshrined voice. | Guardian Australia understands that the majority of speakers were in favour of the leader’s position, opposing a constitutionally-enshrined voice. |
| In favour were Henry Pike, Matt O’Sullivan, David Fawcett and senator Kerrynne Liddle, the only Indigenous member of the Liberal party room. Against the proposal for the party to support the no side were Andrew Bragg, Bridget Archer and Russell Broadbent. | In favour were Henry Pike, Matt O’Sullivan, David Fawcett and senator Kerrynne Liddle, the only Indigenous member of the Liberal party room. Against the proposal for the party to support the no side were Andrew Bragg, Bridget Archer and Russell Broadbent. |
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| Dutton said after the meeting that the shadow frontbench would be obliged to oppose the referendum, and that he would actively campaign against the change himself. Liberal backbenchers, as allowed by normal party rules, can campaign according to their conscience. | Dutton said after the meeting that the shadow frontbench would be obliged to oppose the referendum, and that he would actively campaign against the change himself. Liberal backbenchers, as allowed by normal party rules, can campaign according to their conscience. |
| “I don’t think this is in our country’s best interest. I have spent literally months, like many Australians, trying to understand what it is the prime minister is proposing. We cannot get the basic detail out of them. We think it is deliberate,” Dutton claimed. | “I don’t think this is in our country’s best interest. I have spent literally months, like many Australians, trying to understand what it is the prime minister is proposing. We cannot get the basic detail out of them. We think it is deliberate,” Dutton claimed. |
| Instead of a constitutionally-enshrined voice, Dutton said the Liberals instead proposed symbolic constitutional recognition of Indigenous people, and a legislated model that would focus on local and regional voices, rather than a national voice. | Instead of a constitutionally-enshrined voice, Dutton said the Liberals instead proposed symbolic constitutional recognition of Indigenous people, and a legislated model that would focus on local and regional voices, rather than a national voice. |
| The processes leading to the Uluru statement from the heart rejected symbolic recognition, such as a constitutional preamble, instead calling for recognition through the consultation mechanism of the voice. | The processes leading to the Uluru statement from the heart rejected symbolic recognition, such as a constitutional preamble, instead calling for recognition through the consultation mechanism of the voice. |
| At a press conference announcing the decision, Dutton claimed the concept of “constitutional recognition” had shifted in the years since the 2017 Uluru statement, but declined to say why he would not heed its recommendations. | At a press conference announcing the decision, Dutton claimed the concept of “constitutional recognition” had shifted in the years since the 2017 Uluru statement, but declined to say why he would not heed its recommendations. |
| Dutton called for “respect” in the referendum and said he would not accept any derogatory remarks toward Indigenous people in the campaign. | Dutton called for “respect” in the referendum and said he would not accept any derogatory remarks toward Indigenous people in the campaign. |
| Liberal moderate Bragg, a voice supporter, said he agreed with Dutton there had been a “poor” process leading to this point, but that this was “not a good enough reason to oppose”. | Liberal moderate Bragg, a voice supporter, said he agreed with Dutton there had been a “poor” process leading to this point, but that this was “not a good enough reason to oppose”. |
| The senator from New South Wales was one of those pushing for a party-wide free vote on the voice. Bragg said he still had “an open mind” about the voice, and maintained that the party should remain committed to the parliamentary inquiry into the referendum. He added that he will “give consideration” to the proposals made by Dutton, stopping short of endorsing them. | The senator from New South Wales was one of those pushing for a party-wide free vote on the voice. Bragg said he still had “an open mind” about the voice, and maintained that the party should remain committed to the parliamentary inquiry into the referendum. He added that he will “give consideration” to the proposals made by Dutton, stopping short of endorsing them. |
| Liberal moderate Archer, a strong supporter of the voice and co-chair of a parliamentary group backing the Uluru statement, still plans to campaign for the Indigenous voice. However, she admitted going against the party position was “not 100% without consequences”. | Liberal moderate Archer, a strong supporter of the voice and co-chair of a parliamentary group backing the Uluru statement, still plans to campaign for the Indigenous voice. However, she admitted going against the party position was “not 100% without consequences”. |
| Speaking to the ABC, she said the Liberals must “actually live the values we claim to have” and noted that people going against the party position suffered in terms of “career advancements”. | Speaking to the ABC, she said the Liberals must “actually live the values we claim to have” and noted that people going against the party position suffered in terms of “career advancements”. |
| Asked if the day had “tested your faith” in the party, Archer said: “Yes it has.” | Asked if the day had “tested your faith” in the party, Archer said: “Yes it has.” |
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| Archer later told Guardian Australia: “Backbenchers are always free to do as they wish, allegedly anyway.” | Archer later told Guardian Australia: “Backbenchers are always free to do as they wish, allegedly anyway.” |
| The government minister Brendan O’Connor claimed the Liberals had “chosen the low road” and accused the party of showing “no generosity, no decency and no sincerity”. | The government minister Brendan O’Connor claimed the Liberals had “chosen the low road” and accused the party of showing “no generosity, no decency and no sincerity”. |
| Thomas Mayo, a member of the government’s referendum working group which helped write the constitutional amendment, tweeted that he was “deeply disappointed”. He also questioned Dutton’s alternate proposal. | Thomas Mayo, a member of the government’s referendum working group which helped write the constitutional amendment, tweeted that he was “deeply disappointed”. He also questioned Dutton’s alternate proposal. |
| “They’ve chosen to refuse us the fairness of a voice,” he said. | “They’ve chosen to refuse us the fairness of a voice,” he said. |
| “Liberals saying they support constitutional recognition, but not a voice – there is no recognition without listening to the people to be recognised. So no, they do not support constitutional recognition. They are being dishonest.” | “Liberals saying they support constitutional recognition, but not a voice – there is no recognition without listening to the people to be recognised. So no, they do not support constitutional recognition. They are being dishonest.” |
| Calling a special meeting outside of a parliament sitting week is unusual. There was speculation that Dutton convened the meeting to divert attention from the Liberals’ historic byelection loss in Aston on Saturday. As recently as last week, Liberal sources suggested the party would not finalise its position until later in the parliamentary committee into the constitutional alteration. | Calling a special meeting outside of a parliament sitting week is unusual. There was speculation that Dutton convened the meeting to divert attention from the Liberals’ historic byelection loss in Aston on Saturday. As recently as last week, Liberal sources suggested the party would not finalise its position until later in the parliamentary committee into the constitutional alteration. |
| The shadow Indigenous Australians minister, Julian Leeser, outlined an alternate proposal for the referendum at the National Press Club this week, calling for the deletion of the constitutional amendment which would allow the voice to make representations to parliament and executive government, and instead suggesting its powers be set out in parliamentary legislation. | The shadow Indigenous Australians minister, Julian Leeser, outlined an alternate proposal for the referendum at the National Press Club this week, calling for the deletion of the constitutional amendment which would allow the voice to make representations to parliament and executive government, and instead suggesting its powers be set out in parliamentary legislation. |
| Publicly-voiced opinions on the Liberals’ position were split ahead of the meeting. Several moderates like Bragg and Leeser had called for the party to resolve on a conscience vote for all members, citing previous history in the marriage equality and 1999 republic referendum votes. | Publicly-voiced opinions on the Liberals’ position were split ahead of the meeting. Several moderates like Bragg and Leeser had called for the party to resolve on a conscience vote for all members, citing previous history in the marriage equality and 1999 republic referendum votes. |
| Ahead of the meeting, the deputy leader, Sussan Ley, claimed “many of my colleagues have approached me with problems with the process of the voice”. | Ahead of the meeting, the deputy leader, Sussan Ley, claimed “many of my colleagues have approached me with problems with the process of the voice”. |
| A Newspoll in the Australian newspaper on Wednesday showed a national majority of voters, and a majority in every state except Queensland, support the Indigenous voice. | A Newspoll in the Australian newspaper on Wednesday showed a national majority of voters, and a majority in every state except Queensland, support the Indigenous voice. |
| Ahead of the meeting, groups backing and opposing the voice urged their supporters to flood Liberal members with lobbying efforts by phone and email. One Nation and the Advance lobby group advocated for people to tell their local MPs to vote no, while the yes campaign and the Uluru statement from the heart organisations both asked their supporters to lobby for a yes vote. | Ahead of the meeting, groups backing and opposing the voice urged their supporters to flood Liberal members with lobbying efforts by phone and email. One Nation and the Advance lobby group advocated for people to tell their local MPs to vote no, while the yes campaign and the Uluru statement from the heart organisations both asked their supporters to lobby for a yes vote. |
| “If [Dutton] allows a conscience vote he has allowed the moderates in his party to undermine him yet again,” One Nation’s Pauline Hanson tweeted on Wednesday. | “If [Dutton] allows a conscience vote he has allowed the moderates in his party to undermine him yet again,” One Nation’s Pauline Hanson tweeted on Wednesday. |