Yes advocate Noel Pearson criticizes Peter Dutton’s second Indigenous Voice referendum proposal
Leading Yes supporter Noel Pearson has branded Peter Dutton’s idea of a second referendum an “absolute mirage” and says a no vote would be his “worst nightmare”.
Although all polls indicate a drastic drop in support for Yes, Mr Pearson said he remained optimistic that Australians would vote for change on October 14.
In a hard-hitting interview on Sunday, the Cape York leader said he refused to believe Australians were “capable” of voting no because, he said, it would show such a level of “unrequited love that was unacceptable to this stage in the country’s history.
“It’s always been very difficult for us, but we’ve made progress over the years,” he told ABC News on Sunday.
“We are still the underdogs. We represent three percent of the population. We are the most powerless people in the country, with the weakest political base in the country, but through persuasion, argument and constant campaigning, we have managed to achieve progress…I still believe that we can achieve victory.
Leading Yes supporter Noel Pearson has denounced Peter Dutton’s idea of a second referendum as an “absolute mirage” and says a No vote would be his “worst nightmare”.
Regarding the idea put forward by the Leader of the Opposition to hold a second referendum purely on recognition, in case that referendum fails and he is made Prime Minister, Mr Pearson said the proposal was “ridiculous on their own terms” and was just window dressing.
Mr Pearson said the last time symbolic recognition was put to a vote in 1999, the question failed “worse than the republic” and would not succeed if asked again.
“It’s just an absolute mirage. What this does is it pushes back this debate for another five years. We have already been there for 15 years. John Howard promised this thing… on the eve of the 2007 election,” Mr Pearson said.
“And here we are now 15 years later. Peter Dutton wants to give a boost and continue the debate, division and argument for another five years. Wait until he becomes prime minister, he said. Then they will try again.
He said Mr Dutton had “eviscerated” his credibility by proposing a second referendum, only to have it canceled by his Aboriginal Australian spokeswoman, Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, days later.
“The leader of the opposition says we must organize a second referendum. And then his own… spokesperson killed him Thursday night. Furthermore, its coalition partner (the Nationals) is absolutely not going to consider another referendum,” Mr Pearson said.
Regarding the idea put forward by the Leader of the Opposition to hold a second referendum based solely on recognition if that referendum fails and he is made Prime Minister, Mr Pearson said the proposal was “ridiculous in their own right.” terms” and was just window dressing.
He said Mr Dutton had “eviscerated” his credibility by proposing a second referendum, only to have it canceled by his Aboriginal Australian spokeswoman, Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, days later.
“The fact is we will never get a constitutional recognition referendum from these people. They are here for constant debate, constant argument, conflict and debate. They want this problem to never end. They like conflicts and arguments.
“The “Yes” campaign says: we will do it on October 14. We’re solving one of the biggest outstanding problems in the country, it’s unfinished business, as John Howard called it in 2007, unfinished business.
Asked what a ‘no’ vote would mean for the country, Mr Pearson said he would make that judgment after the referendum.
“I believe we still have the capacity to do the right thing,” he said.
“I simply do not believe that when the hand of friendship and reconciliation is extended by Indigenous peoples, their love will not be reciprocated. I can’t believe this.
“I can’t believe we’re still an Australia where that hand would just be thrown away… I just don’t believe Australians are capable of it.”
