Today, the Prime Minister announced that the Voice to Parliament referendum will be held on October 14.
Federal Member for Flynn, Colin Boyce said his position remains ‘NO’ as there is no substantial or detailed explanation of the workings, scope and limits of the Voice or explanation of how this will provide a better outcome for Aboriginal or Torres Strait people or Australians in general.
“Many Australians would be prepared to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people as the first Australians in our constitution. However, this referendum proposal is suggesting that we divide Australia, based on race, and give those people power to coerce any Government to their will, over and above all other Australians,” Mr Boyce said.
“I have consulted widely with both the ‘YES’ and ‘NO’ campaigns in a respectful way and have made the decision to vote ‘NO’.
“This includes indigenous leaders from communities all across the Flynn electorate. Almost all indicated they knew very little or nothing about the Albanese Government’s Voice proposal.
“I believe the Voice will not advance the primary aim of Closing the Gap and dealing with real issues. It will not economically empower Indigenous people.
“The Labor Government has failed at every turn to explain the details of the workings of the Voice to Parliament.
“They have not offered any substance as to how this will deliver better outcomes for the most marginalised Australians.
“It will be a Voice for Redfern, not Indigenous communities in rural areas such as Woorabinda.
“My view remains the same: we are one people, we are one country, we are all equal.
“I will be voting ‘NO’ at the referendum and encourage you to have your say.”
