Nat Barr’s tough question for Anthony Albanese’s government about the Indigenous Voice to Parliament

Nat Barr has questioned Anthony Albanese’s government following a claim by Jacinta Price about why Australia does not need an Indigenous voice in Parliament.

Senator Price said Australia already has a world-class democratic structure and disagreed with claims that the history of British colonization continues to have a detrimental impact on Aboriginal people in ‘Australia.

“We have running water and food readily available,” she said Thursday at a National Press Club event.

“Many of us have the same opportunities as every other Australian in this country, and we probably have one of the best systems in the world in terms of democratic structure.”

“If we continue to tell Indigenous people that they are victims, we are effectively removing their agency and then making them feel like someone else is responsible for their lives,” she said. declared.

Senator Price said the campaign for an Indigenous voice in Parliament is underpinned by a “lie… that Indigenous Australians don’t have a voice”.

“The Indigenous Minister for Indigenous Australians has told us that Indigenous people have no say in policies or decisions made on our behalf.

“I am one of 11 Indigenous voices currently in Parliament…The patronizing suggestion that we cannot focus our efforts on improving the lives of marginalized Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people because we are busy of voters should be resolutely rejected.”

The senator’s comments were still a topic of discussion on Friday morning for Sunrise host Nat Barr when Minister Jason Clare and Deputy Opposition Leader Sussan Ley appeared on the show, sparking a fiery debate between the politicians.

“Jacinta Price says we don’t need a voice in Parliament because we have a world-class democratic structure,” Barr began.

“We have indigenous MPs and, in fact, they are indigenous voices in our parliament. What do you think ?

Mr Clare responded by saying coalition MPs supported the Voice both publicly and privately.

“I understand that Jacinta doesn’t think it’s a good idea, but many Liberal and National MPs say they don’t support it.

“But privately I know that in four weeks they will vote yes at the polls,” he said.

“I say this not to put it on national television, but to speak to the Liberal and National voters who are watching right now to say that this is not a Labor idea, this is not a Liberal idea, this is the idea of ​​Indigenous Australians.”

“In four weeks, we have the opportunity to do what we should have done 122 years ago, which was to recognize indigenous peoples in our first document of the Constitution.”

Ms Ley accused the Labor government of failing to distance itself from prominent Yes campaigner Professor Marcia Langton – who accused the No campaign of being based on “basic racism” or “pure stupidity” and has previously said Australia is a racist country.

“I think they really needed to remove Marcia Langton from this group for the sake of us getting closer.”

“But that’s why this Voice is so controversial, led by a Prime Minister who rushed the timetable, insisted everyone must vote yes, surrounded by people he supports who say Australians are racist,” Ms. Ley said.

However, Mr Clare hit back, saying The Voice is an opportunity to ensure taxpayers’ money is better spent closing the gap and improving the lives of Indigenous Australians.

“If you are an Indigenous Australian today, you are more likely to die in childbirth, more likely to die younger than the rest of us, more likely to suffer from chronic illness, less likely to complete education , more likely if you’re an Indigenous man to go to prison rather than university,” he said.

“By listening, we can make better decisions and achieve better results, and that’s what this is all about.”

Barr agreed, calling the current statistics regarding Indigenous Australians appalling.

Ms Ley argued that more needed to be done at the local level rather than by a group of elites at the highest levels of government.

“This is the Prime Minister’s divisive voice,” she said.

“Jason describes it as recognition in the Constitution. We agree with this. But he describes it as an advisory committee, as if there’s really nothing to see here.

“When we listen to the members who designed this Voice generate fear and hatred, that’s what the Prime Minister doesn’t back down from, and you know, he speaks out of both sides of his mouth, I’m afraid .”

Clare replied: “Politicians have been talking about this for decades and we have failed.

“At the end of the day, the polls failed and we need to do something different.

Barr agreed that a change needed to happen as she finished the segment.

Earlier in the show, Barr agreed with the panelist’s calls that everyone’s opinions on The Voice should be respected, regardless of their side.

“I would say if you want to vote no you shouldn’t be called stupid and racist,” said Triple M radio host Luke Bona.

Barr added: “Everyone should have their own point of view, and everyone should respect that.”