The federal National Party’s decision to oppose an Indigenous Voice to Parliament has attracted scorn from a range of Goulburn Valley political figures, including from within the Nationals themselves.
The Nationals’ incoming state Member for Shepparton, Kim O’Keeffe, says she was “side-swiped” by the federal division of her party when it announced it would oppose the proposed Voice.
Speaking on Friday, December 9, the day she was declared the winner of the seat of Shepparton, Ms O’Keeffe said she was shocked by her federal counterparts’ announcement.
“I was sort of a bit side-swiped by that — obviously I didn't see it coming,” she said.
“We have had some detail around it, and their reasoning is that they feel there’s just not enough information and enough content there to make an informed decision.
“I will always support the Indigenous Voice and all the ways to make sure that that progresses.
“So I'm absolutely listening and wanting to know what, if that doesn't happen, how is that gap going to be filled?”
Federal Nationals leader David Littleproud said the party was opposing the Voice because it would not close the gap of disadvantage between Traditional Owners and non-First Nations Australians.
Federal Member for Nicholls Sam Birrell, who is also a member of the Nationals, said he supported that decision at this stage because not enough detail was known about the proposal.
In an opinion piece for the News, Mr Birrell said he believed “the people are entitled to know what that instrument is, how it would be formed and what impact it would have in improving the health and prosperity of First Nations people”.
“I have reservations about a constitutionally enshrined instrument of government based on race,” he said.
The Federal Government has committed to holding a referendum to approve enshrining a body of First Nations representatives into the constitution that would be consulted on policies and projects that impact First Nations people.
Ms O’Keeffe said she planned to meet local First Nations representatives for more advice on the Voice.
“I've asked Sam, and we are going to be meeting with some Indigenous community (members), which is really important,” she said.
The Nationals’ stance has also attracted criticism from some in the party’s coalition partner, the Liberal party, which is yet to announce whether it will support the Voice.
Steve Brooks was the Liberal candidate for Nicholls when Mr Birrell won the seat in this year’s Federal Election. He criticised Mr Birrell for falling into line with the Nationals’ premature decision rather than representing his local First Nations community.
“I think any reasonable person would look at this and say, ‘How could you have ruled something out before it has been properly articulated?’ and it’s disappointing when there was the opportunity for our local member to stand with our people, but instead he chose the National Party line. I just think that’s disappointing,” Mr Brooks said.
“We went through a campaign where many times, usually around water, we were asked to say would we cross the floor and stand with local people rather than party politics, and each one of us said we would, and I think this was a great case where we could have had that demonstrated and unfortunately that didn’t happen.”
Another of the Nicholls candidates in that election, independent Rob Priestly, also slammed the Nationals’ announcement.
“I think it’s the worst sort of politics. It’s about opportunism, and I think that this is a sensitive issue,” Mr Priestly said.
“I think that the National Party could easily reserve their position and quietly work through the issues and concerns that they’ve got without coming out and forming a firm stance before there’s been a community conversation, and I’m especially disappointed for the people of Nicholls that there’s been no consultation and no representation for a very large Indigenous community on this issue.
“I think this requires leaders in our community to stand up, and it’s not too late for Sam to walk back his position.
“I think he should focus his energy on ways to make this work rather than ways to make it fail, and there would be many people in our community who would work collaboratively with him to make that happen.”
Mr Priestly said he was now concerned the Nationals’ stance could give rise to a more divisive campaign rather than a unifying opportunity.
“I am now. I wasn’t, but I am now, based on the way the federal National Party have started out on this topic,” he said.