DESPITE his strong connections to the Aboriginal community and personal support
for indigenous rights, Braddon Federal Liberal MP Gavin Pearce will not publicaly support either the yes or no campaigns in the Voice to Parliament referendum.
My personal view is rooted firmly in my upbringing – influenced heavily by my mother and her deep connection with Aboriginal culture – and then reaffirmed during my service in the army where I spend many months living within indigenous communities,” Mr Pearce said. “I learnt from the Aunties, they took me in as their own and they kept me alive. “That has stayed with me and fundamentally changed the person I am today for the better. “Because of that, I want to be instrumental in eliminating the divide that currently exists between the opportunities and outcomes enjoyed by indigenous and non-indigenous Australians. “This drive is not informed by any conformist ideology, and is not dictated to me by politics or the party.
“With that said, I do have reservations about the current proposal. I’m of the view that any proposal should have local communities at the heart, and I believe that the current proposal fails to do that. “What has clearly been demonstrated since the 1967 referendum, is that when governments, or any other national or state body, make centralised decisions on behalf of indigenous communities, it doesn’t work. “That cannot be disputed. If that wasn’t true, the gap would have been eliminated or a least closed significantly.
“When members within Braddon’s local Aboriginal communities contact me and say that they are fearful they will be excluded, I listen and I’m very concerned. “ We must be given a guarantee that all voices will be heard and that the outcomes that will be implemented reflect the uniqueness and the needs of each community, wherever they are in Australia. “What I’m concerned about with the current proposal is the form of words that appears to seek to reintroduce the notion of race back into our Constitution. I cannot support two sets of rules that could divide us.
“I am disappointed with the assertion that I’m sitting on the fence but I’m on the record as saying that I will not be party to shaming or guilting people into feeling a certain way – that’s un-Australian. “I believe in the democratic process and the individual’s right to make their own decision.
TASMANIAN Premier Jeremy Rockliff, the nation’s only liberal leader, in contrast to the federal liberal position, has publicly made it clear that he supports the Yes campaign, and said that it was time to recognise first nations people. “It’s high time we took responsibility and found another way, and another way that moves us forward as a nation. And a way that we can, firstly, recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our national Constitution, but also simply sit down and work through the issues in a consultative way on how we can best move this country forward and ensure that we can close the gap on all important areas “Listening to our indigenous Australians on the best way forward for our nation and for indigenous Australians to live their best life.”
LABOR Senator for Tasmania Anne Urquhart said Australians have always been ready to embrace change to build a better future. “By voting Yes, you will be making a change that invests in the future we want to build. This referendum is a question of principle. “This referendum will simply ask that the Australian people to give the Commonwealth the power to create a Voice to Parliament for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. “This would enshrine in our constitution a purely advisory body that will help drive better decisions and outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. “The mechanics of the Voice won’t be written in the constitution. That is the parliament’s job.
LABOR Members for Braddon Anita Dow and Shane Broad in a joint statement said Tasmanian Labor supported The Voice to Parliament. “It is clearly time to recognise first nations people in the constitution and celebrate that we have the oldest continuing culture in the world. “Speaking truth and giving voice to truth allows us to confront our past, accept it and find a unified way forward. This referendum is about recognition and consultation.
STATE Liberal Member for Braddon Felix Ellis said he grew up in Aboriginal communities. “Members of my family have dedicated their lives to improving the life chances of Aboriginal people,” he said. “We grew up learning Bardi and Yawuru language and I think about the kids around us who didn’t have the same opportunities because of their background. “I’m also a constitutional conservative. Good constitutions are hard to find and the fact Australia is one of the world’s oldest continuous democracies speaks to this. “I’ve been an in-principle supporter of the Voice concept since before I entered politics and believe it can be an opportunity to uphold the profound wisdom of our practical Constitution that has served us well, while also recognising our first Australians and the special place that they hold in our national story. “I’m deeply worried that the Prime Minister is botching this process and is picking a model far-removed from the original intent of the Voice. “Change the proposed wording to the original intent to uphold the values of our Constitution while also recognising Aboriginal people.”
STATE Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Liberal member for Braddon Roger Jaensch said he will not be following his Federal Liberal colleagues who oppose the Voice to Parliament. “The good thing about a referendum is that every Australian and every Tasmanian of voting age gets a say. This is the time to ask questions and have a discussion,” her said. “The debate is raising awareness about hearing the voice of Aboriginal people. “Every member of the party and community gets to have their voice on this as well.” Mr Jaensch said the government was not taking a position. “We are all individuals, and we all have the opportunity to participate in discussions and within our society leading up to the referendum.”