What a lovely surprise to see my John Button Oration from September - on the need for a new radical centre in economic policy - was on
@ABCbigideas
program last night! Thanks for the nice emails, from some of those who have listened. You can listen here:
Happy gay Aussies will soon be free to marry. A just result. But our First Peoples still don’t have justice. All who supported SSM should now support Indigenous recognition. In solidarity, together, as Australians. We must support the Uluru Statement’s call for a voice.
The Australian government and Parliament make special laws and policies about Indigenous communities, because of their position and history as the first peoples of this country. Indigenous communities deserve a fairer say when government makes laws and policies about them, so
I’m so excited to be the Labor candidate for Deakin! Looking forward to listening, learning, and fighting hard for our community. You need to be in there to change things, and things absolutely need to change. Deakin deserves better.
So Sukkar claims questioning Frydenberg’s citizenship is discriminatory anti-semitism. Yet when the PM questioned my citizenship without legal basis (as Fiji confirmed) & the Herald Sun compared me to a terrorist, that was all election fair play? Hypocrisy
Successful democracies with similar colonial histories to Australia recognise Indigenous peoples in their constitutions and give Indigenous peoples some kind of advisory voice in laws and policies made about them. Here are some examples.
#VoteYes2023
#VoteYES23Australia
FAQ: Aren’t the Indigenous politicians in Parliament already a Voice for Indigenous communities? No! That’s not how our democracy works. Indigenous communities need an advisory Voice in laws and policies made about them.
#voteyes
#voteyesaustralia
#voicetoparliament
#referendum
Me in the
@australian
today on why over 120 ethnic and cultural organisations are expressing support for the Voice referendum at
Migrants got a fair go, it’s our turn to pay it forward
A growing coalition of 120 multicultural community organisations has committed support for a YES vote in the Voice referendum at - amazing to see multicultural Australians stepping up! Via
@abcnews
Some people ask: isn’t the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) a Voice for Indigenous people? No. it’s a government department. Its not full of Indigenous representative. It’s full of bureaucrats.
#voteyesaustralia
#voicetoparliament
#yes23
#referendum23
Where’s the detail? Read cl 3 of the proposed constitutional change. It says Parliament is in charge of the detail, so the detail can change over time. This referendum is not about detail. It’s about the principle.
3) the Parliament shall, subject to this Constitution, have
Multicultural Australians should be aware of misinformation & proactively access & share accurate information on the Voice referendum. The facts are clear. This is a simple question about recognising Indigneous people by giving them advisory Voice in their affairs. I hope
#EXCLUSIVE
: With the government still reeling from the sports rorts scandal, Nine News can reveal another fund, which was used to give money to Coalition-targeted seats in the lead up to the election.
@jekearsley
#9News
#MyMum
migrated to Australia when she was just 17 to study medicine at Monash. She then served our local community for years as a family GP at Park Orchards Medical Centre, specialising in women’s health. She inspired me to work hard and give back.
#BillsMUM
#allourmums
We ran a positive, truthful and dignified campaign and I’m so proud.
To our incredible team, volunteers and donors, your determination to create a fairer Australia has been inspiring.
Never stop fighting for compassion and equality. Don’t be disheartened; be determined.
Thank you
@SamOConnorMP
for standing up for what’s right. This is not about Labor or Liberal. It’s not about left or right. It’s about doing the right thing for Indigenous people and for our country as a whole
#VoteYes2023
#VoteYES23Australia
#Referendum
Excellent reporting by
@smh
@theage
yesterday on how Liberal MPs are mischaracterising former judges & misrepresenting their words deliberately absent important context.
The No case relies on mistruths & exaggeration. Don’t let them get away with it.
Noel Pearson is right: the Voice referendum is about empowering Indigenous communities to take greater responsibility in their affairs
@FinancialReview
Hi from Hobart! Why does a tiny state like Tasmania get an equal number of Senators as bigger states like Vic & NSW? Cos our Constituion guarantees the historic political communities, the former colonies, a fair & equal Voice in the system - even the very small ones! This
Appalling targeting of migrants with blatant lies. Every Aussie with a conscience needs to assist in calling this out, and sharing accurate information.
So the politician says No to giving Indigenous communities a Voice through an advisory committee made up of Indigenous people, and instead proposes that politicians should have an advisory committee made up of politicians…. classic.
Wow
@DanTehanWannon
’s alternative to The Voice
Is a bipartisan parliamentary committee
We’ve had these committees for decades
Yet we are still at where we are at
We need to change
#VoteYesAustralia
More and more multicultural Australians are saying YES to the Voice referendum, and helping raise awareness in their communities. Check out the video, spread the word and sign up at
#yes23
#VoteYesAustralia
More Australians now support a constitutionally guaranteed First Nations voice - recent polling suggests an overwhelming majority want this constitutional reform. Parliament must act.
#auspol
#auscon
#ulurustatement
@guardian
He thinks he’s the smartest guy in every room, but Turnbull‘s arrogance, dishonesty, and “divide & conquer” manipulative tactics last night on
@QandA
backfired badly. Australians are repulsed. Me on Indigenous recognition in
@GuardianAus
today
#auspol
Full page ad in
@australian
today. “We seek constitutional reform to empower our people and take a rightful place in our own country... in 1967 we were counted. In 2017 we seek to be heard”
I’ve been receiving a lot of complaints about the deliberately misleading letter sent to constituents by the member for Deakin.
Here’s an important fact check by
@KKeneally
#DeakinDeservesBetter
Disgusting. Turnbull trying to divide & conquer unsuccessfully- suggesting words like “token” which
@teelareid
didn’t say- he did. Trying to create a wedge. But can’t: Uluru is a consensus First Nations position. PM manipulative. Dishonest. Abusive. Despicable. Well done Teela.
2017: the year First Nations formed their historic Uluru Statement: an unprecedented national consensus on constitutional reform. Also the year of Turnbull’s despicable, dishonest rejection of its modest reforms. In 2018 we must fight for justice
#PUSH4UluruStatement
#auspol
Newspoll: a majority of Australians back Shorten's commitment re implementing an Indigenous constitution voice in their affairs. PM says Australians won't support it, but only a minority of Australians agree. Bring on the election!
#auspol
@australian
Yes, I’ve been told this too. Absolutely disgusting that the No case is targeting multicultural Aussies with such awful and blatant lies.
This is an advisory body. It will give non-binding advice. Please help spread accurate information.
Rampant Voice disinformation “targeting” multicultural Australians with warnings of property loss, school scholarship discrimination and cancelled family visas have left communities “scared” and “confused” about the referendum, reports Daily Telegraph
Me in
@theage
today: vulnerable Australians are being exploited, so why is government doing nothing? Politicians should stop fighting among themselves and start fighting for the issues that matter.
Voice to parliament: Referendum vote is ‘still up for grabs’, polling shows
The No camp has become over-confident. The Yes camp is the underdog, but this referendum is still up for grabs.
This is up to every single Australian.
Don’t miss Noel Pearson blistering takedown of the government’s dishonest rejection of the Uluru Statement in
@THEMONTHLY
- paywall now gone. This is a must read!
#auspol
Honoured to be invited to Chile to participate in the
@EsPublicoCL
constitutional reform seminar, with other experts from the region. Whirlwind trip but excellent to meet so many amazing reformers & advisers! Thanks
@paulaescobarch
for the interview
I visited the Davis family in Mitcham this morning and brought a few friends with me!
Great to have
@billshortenmp
and
@tanya_plibersek
in Deakin this morning to kick off our campaign. I think Bill definitely won Fonzie’s vote with some excellent pats 🐶
#DeakinDeservesBetter
Me & Noel Pearson in
@australian
today. Deeply disappointing that some conservative co-creators of the Voice constitutional concept are attacking key elements of their own drafting. Indigenous people, and the country, may pay a dear price.
#UluruStatement
#Auspol2023
The Liberal Party’s demonising of African youths is a cheap, destructive electoral tactic & must be called out. These are Australian youths: crime in this community is an Australian problem. Crime must not be tolerated. Racism must not be tolerated either
Michaelia Cash to save the utes. Johnny's car today wont be the one he drives tomorrow and claims 50% of the apprentices standing behind her will be driving an electric vehicle under Bill Shorten.
#ausvotes
#qldpol
Even recent history shows why Indigenous communities need a Voice. We can’t change history, but we can commit to listening for better practical outcomes & a fairer future.
Me in
@FinancialReview
#voteyesaustralia
#yes23
I'm voting yes because a constitutionally guaranteed Indigenous Voice will help local Indigenous communities take charge of their affairs, to improve practical outcomes. It will make most of local community experience
@australian
#VoteYesAustralia
#Yes23
A republic can wait. Distracting debate about republican models should wait too. A referendum on a First Nations constitutional voice must come first.
Me in
@theage
@smh
Mothers Day has gone political this year. Whether it’s today’s final week rally or handing out at pre-poll in the rain,
#MyMum
has always been there for me, I couldn’t do this without you Mum. ❤️
My piece in
@australian
legal affairs today, responding to IPA criticism of Chief Justice Martin for supporting Indigenous constitutional recognition. The IPA abandon their commitment to free speech when the opinion expressed is contrary to theirs
#auspol
Great to see Indigenous leaders out there campaigning for Yes with Liberals!
You can ask Noel Pearson and me questions this Saturday at Beecroft Community Centre, 10.30am! Come along
#Yes23
#voteyes
I believe that every child deserves a quality education.
Deakin’s schools are set to receive 19 million dollars worth of extra funding under Labor.
#DeakinDeservesBetter
Happy Fathers Day to all the dads! My dad was an Indian migrant who worked for years as a GP, caring for the local community and giving back to Australia. Together with mum (also a GP) he ran a family practice in Park Orchards. Here’s me and dad, then and now...
Uluru was clear: it asked for a constitutionally enshrined First Nations voice, not merely legislated. It rejected constitutional minimalism/ mere symbolism. Let’s not aim low. Let’s work together to build the consensus needed for referendum success. We can do this
@theprojecttv
The PM yesterday lied to Australians just like his predecessor. His claim that an advisory voice TO parliament is a “third chamber” is sheer dishonesty that the gov’s own committee rejects. We need a new government. And we need a referendum: let the people have their say.
Let me respectfully offer a contrary view on Chris Kenny’s appointment to the voice design panel: 1) Political balance is important. 2) Kenny has publicly supported an Indigenous constitutional voice for several years and has repeatedly commentated on it thoughtfully & positively
Last night’s Deakin & Chisholm climate change forum was a great chance for Jenn and I to speak about Labor’s climate change action plan.
All parties were invited. The Greens came with their plan. But some decided to stay home.
#DeakinDeservesBetter
#auspol
#DeakinVotes
Amazing to also see Chinese Australians supporting the Voice referendum, written in Chinese! Multicultural Australia at its best!
#yes23
#voteyes
#ulurustatement
Can we maintain the productive tension created by January 26 and use it to propel the substantive reforms the First Nations request in the Uluru Statement from the Heart? Rather than change the date, can we redeem it? Me in
@Meanjin
#auspol
Recognising Indigenous people by giving them an advisory Voice in their affairs does not take anything away from any non-Indigenous person. But we all win, because listening to deliver better practical results will benefit the whole country. With
@jaynieseal
on
@SkyNewsAust
Locals have been lobbying to have Tarralla Creek rehabilitated for years.
It was great to have
@SenatorWong
join me to announce that Labor will revitalise the creek with a $1.5 million pledge to heal this vital part of our local eco system.
#DeakinDeservesBetter
I’m going to fight for action on climate change and rising power prices, while also making sure the transition to renewables is just and fair.
#DeakinDeservesBetter
#DeakinVotes
@rjosephstella
Fact check, back at you. As you know, the race power is only ever used to make laws about Indigenous people. Before 1967 it was never used. Other constitutional powers are also used in an Indigenous-specific way. Indigenous communities should have an advisory say in policies
Thank you
@PatsKarvelas
- The PM has basically boasted abou his own disingenuousness and duplicity on indigenous recognition. His dishonest & inept rejection of the Uluru Statement should not hold Australia back
@abcnews
#auspol
The Liberals are more interested in plotting and back-stabbing, than governing for the good of the country. Following Dutton & Abbott, key MPs have gone far right and alienated ordinary Australians. People are over it. We need vision, not division.
Looking forward to speaking in Bathurst with former Nationals representative
@AndrewGeeMP
this Sunday, on the Voice referendum. Come along and ask questions!
#Referendum2023
#VoteYes
Actually, experts left & right agree a voice is the least constitutionally risky option. Symbolic words risks uncertain judicial interpretation - this failed in 1999. A voice is practical, it fits with the Constituion. Modest yet profound. It’s the only way to win a referendum.