The prime minister has confirmed the government will not make reparation payments to Indigenous Australians and Australia Day will not change dates, during a heated debate about the Voice to parliament with broadcaster Ben Fordham.
In a tense half-hour discussion where Fordham claimed sliding polls showed the Voice appeared doomed to fail, the 2GB presenter put a number of potential scenarios to Anthony Albanese, asking what would happen if the Yes vote wins the referendum.
“What if 12 months down the track the Voice says we want to change the date of Australia Day? What do you say as prime minister?” Fordham asked.
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Albanese responded: “Well, what we say is that we have no plans to change Australia Day … absolutely.”
Fordham then asked if the Voice could somehow pressure future governments to pay compensation for how Australia was colonised, and the impact on Indigenous Australians.
“No, Ben, I can’t say it any clearer,” Albanese said.
“Compensation has nothing to do with what people will vote on.”
Multiple polls have shown how support for Yes has steadily dropped since the start of the year, but Albanese insisted Australians will “focus” when the time to vote draws nearer.
Albanese is yet to announce the Voice to parliament referendum date.
“This is the most disadvantaged group in Australia,” Albanese said, reflecting on the multitude of societal challenges Indigenous Australians face.
“There’s an eight-year life expectancy gap. There is a greater chance of an Indigenous young male going to jail than to go to university.”
Fordham then asked if the Voice could potentially allow Indigenous people access to the pension early.
“Governance will make decisions based upon representation,” Albanese replied, adding that “of course we will” say no to suggestions that the government does not see working.
“The Voice will not have the right to veto a government decision,” he said.
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“Our system of government will not change.
“There won’t be someone sitting in the cabinet room. There won’t be someone who’s not elected sitting in the parliament.
“And that’s why I say this is a modest request. This is just an opportunity to listen.”
Albanese said Indigenous Australians were primarily concerned about practical outcomes of health and education and housing and incarceration rates.
When Fordham asked if the Voice would have a direct line to the Reserve Bank of Australia, Albanese was incredulous.
“I can’t talk directly to the RBA board, and I’m the prime minister. So, no, Ben.”
“Excuse me, prime minister … I am not reading from the No pamphlet.”
Fordham suggested Albanese could avert a referendum defeat and generate a “win, win” outcome if he “split up” the questions being asked of Australians.
Australians, Fordham claimed, would vote yes to constitutional recognition for Indigenous Australians and that any Voice to parliament should be legislated instead, similar to what Opposition Leader Peter Dutton is proposing.
“If you continue on this current path, and you keep the two tied together, you may end up with a lose, lose,” Fordham said.
Albanese countered he was “a pragmatic guy” and that the referendum was what Indigenous Australians were calling for and many Australians would support.
“They don’t just want recognition, the symbolism of recognition. They want something that will make a practical difference to their lives.”
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