There’s been a lot of words written about the one year anniversary of the divisive Voice to Parliament.
But while the result was a triumph of democracy and the desire of Australians to be united, there’s still a lot of unfinished business.
It’s not, as the Yes campaign leaders have said in recent weeks, about their personal journey.
It’s revealing that so many of their retrospective comments are about how disappointed they personally were, while refusing to engage with why Australians said no and saying nothing about actually addressing Indigenous disadvantage.
Here’s a scoop: it’s not about you.
It’s also not the continued pursuit of Makarrata – truth telling – that the Albanese government committed $27.7 million towards, with $5.8 million already officially budgeted for it, with Anthony Albanese gaslighting the public about what this commission is for.
The unfinished business is not pushing forward with another effort to get a legislated voice or even another referendum to have another go at convincing the Australian people of its value.
I think the Australian people were pretty clear.
And the failure to accept the verdict of the people is really where the unfinished business lies.
The 12 months since the vote has revealed the failure of character at the heart of Prime Minister Albanese.
Just consider for a moment how much he staked on this referendum, announcing it on the night of his win in the 2022 election, and then putting all his political energy into it during 2023 when Aussie families were doing it tough in a cost of living crisis.
It’s pretty clear he wanted this to be his defining political moment.
But then, after the loss, he failed on two fronts.
Firstly, he’s failed to take responsibility.
Saying the words isn’t taking responsibility. It’s being honest and reflective of why you lost.
It’s being open and forthright with the Yes campaign leaders as to your failures to properly consider the views of Australians.
Also note that on the anniversary of the vote, Albanese made no statement or acknowledgement.
In fact, he was only prompted to mention it at all when asked in a press conference on the day.
His response? To paraphrase: “I went to Garma this year, what else do you want?”
Secondly, he has failed to end the treaty like negotiations going on in the states, he’s failed to stop Makarrata, and he’s failed to have a Plan B for dealing with Indigenous disadvantage.
I’ve spent a year offering real solutions and the Prime Minister has spent the year running away.
That is the revelation of Anthony Albanese’s character we cannot and must not forget.
And in the lead-up to the next election, I’ll be making sure everyone I speak to knows it.
Yours for REAL solutions,
Jacinta Nampijinpa Price
Senator for the Northern Territory
Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians
About
Jacinta Nampijinpa Price is your Senator for the Northern Territory, and the former deputy mayor of Alice Springs.
Contact
Jacinta Nampijinpa Price
Country Liberal Party (NT)
1.229 McMillans Road, Jingili
NT 0810
