You know The Voice is in trouble when Anthony Albanese struggles to answer simple questions from The Project’s left-wing hosts: Hamish MacDonald tells Prime Minister ‘people want to understand this’
- The Prime Minister appeared on The Project to speak on the vote
- He stumbled over questions about exactly how it will work
- The bill to enable the referendum was passed on Tuesday
Anthony Albanese struggled to directly answer a series of simple questions on the Voice to Parliament during an appearance on The Project.
The prime minister was interviewed by Channel Ten current affairs presenters after the bill to enable the referendum was passed by the Senate on Monday.
Mr Albanese talked about the goal and the Voice’s goal was but stumbled when host Hamish McDonald asked a series of questions about exactly how it would work.
When asked how many people would be on the Voice, he said ‘that would be decided by Parliament’ before launching into a long-winded response.
“But there has been an assessment (which) was given to the former government and was considered twice by their cabinet … and it spoke of a group of about 24 people,” Albanese said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (pictured) stumbled upon a question about how the Voice to Parliament would work during an appearance on Ten’s The Project
But that would be determined by parliament. So, our Constitution…defines the greater principle and, like everything else, Parliament will determine…and that will change over time.”
McDonald tried to intervene several times during the Prime Minister’s response in an attempt to gain more clarity.
“I think, as you’ve acknowledged, people want to understand this, right — so I’m giving you a chance to get that across,” the host finally said.
McDonald continued by asking how members of the Voice would be chosen
The prime minister again did not give a precise answer.
‘They would be chosen. That would be in consultation with Indigenous Australians themselves,” Mr Albanese said.
“So, for example, South Australia may have a Voice to Parliament… Voice to Parliament may elect people to the national Voice structure.”
“In Victoria right now… there is an election right now of Indigenous people for their…”
McDonald again interjected to emphasize that he was “trying to keep this as simple as possible” before firing off another question.
“If The Voice disagrees with the then government, who has the primacy?” he asked.
McDonald continued, “when you get that advice, which says you have to do one thing…” before the Prime Minister spoke over him to reply simply, “The government.”
The Prime Minister was asked a series of questions during the show by presenter Hamish McDonald (pictured), who urged Mr Albanese to ‘keep it simple’ as Australians tried to understand how the vote would work
Labor senators applaud after bill to enable Voice referendum passed Senate chamber on Monday
“There is no right of veto here… the structure of parliament remains in place, is not affected by any of this and that has been made absolutely clear,” Albanese said.
“This is all an advisory group.”
It comes after the Senate passed laws Monday — 52 to 19 — to clear the way for a referendum on the Vote after a fiery final debate in the upper house.
The vote means the referendum will be held in the next two to six months, with the government already indicating it will take place between October and December.
The bill passed into a standing ovation in the public gallery and applause.
Yes and no campaigns will now ramp up efforts to connect with voters ahead of the referendum.
The Liberal Party, Nationals and One Nation will all oppose the Voice and contribute to official No pamphlets delivered to every household.
Labor and the Greens will collaborate with several independents on a Yes pamphlet.
