Peter Dutton accused of taking Voice to Parliament feedback ‘out of context’

First Nations communities have accused Opposition Leader Peter Dutton of taking conversations he had with them out of context, and using them as a reason to oppose a constitutionally enshrined Voice to Parliament.

Mr Dutton cited Indigenous leaders from parts of the country ranging from Laverton in Western Australia to Palm Island in Queensland as saying the Voice wouldn’t represent their views on the ground.

But that’s at odds with what Pakaanu Aboriginal Corporation chief executive Marty Seelander has told the ABC. He says the majority of the Laverton Aboriginal community is backing the Yes campaign.

“It’s taken out of context because in the initial conversation we had on his visit, the opposition leader’s visit to Laverton, it was around that we want constitutional change,” Mr Seelander said.

“But we as a community, we did mention that we would like to know from the referendum if it was voted yes, how we would be represented from our community on that council.”

The Liberal Party this week joined its Coalition partner, the Nationals, in opposing the Voice to Parliament.

Mr Dutton visited Laverton twice in the past six months, speaking to elders about issues facing the town including the escalation of alcohol-fuelled violence and the abolition of the Cashless Debit Card.

He has repeatedly referred to conversations he’s had with elders as having shaped his opposition to the Labor government’s proposed Voice.

“Every Australian wants to see a better outcome for Indigenous Australians, but the prime minister’s divisive Canberra voice is not going to deliver that, that’s the issue. As many elders have said, as we’ve moved around the country, they’re not in favour of the Voice.”

Mr Dutton said his party is not opposed to another form of constitutional recognition for Indigenous Australians, or the establishment of local and regional voice bodies.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is yet to visit Laverton.

Last week Mr Seelander, along with the Laverton and Leonora Shire mayors, met with both political leaders in Canberra.

Mr Seelander said the Voice was not a key issue of discussion with Mr Dutton.

“We were a bit confused by his comments, because that certainly wasn’t discussed when we recently visited Canberra,” he told the ABC.

“Ninety-nine per cent of the meeting was to do with the issues in our community and around the abolishment of the CDC card. There was not much time spent on gaining our perspective on the Voice.”

‘They are Aboriginal too’

Mr Dutton said he expected the Voice would be filled with academics, rather than community leaders.

But Palm Island Bwgcolman elder Elizabeth Clay told the ABC she disagrees with Mr Dutton’s statements that Aboriginal academics won’t represent the wider Indigenous community.

“I believe the academics will represent us all, who cares if they are academics or not, they are Aboriginal too,” she said.

“It has to be a Canberra voice, because that’s where Parliament House is. It has to come from Canberra, I think they will represent us all,” she said.

Ms Clay said the Voice to Parliament campaign has been rushed, and more consultation is needed, but despite the timing of the referendum, many Palm Island residents were supporting it.

“We do need a Voice in parliament, but there needs to be more consultation,” she said.

“We all agree with the Voice … the idea of a Voice to Parliament means a lot to them [Palm Island residents].

“[But] we have waited too long for a voice to represent us … we need self-determination and we know the answers to our problems.”

In order to help her community understand what the Voice means, Ms Clay said upcoming community meetings were in the works.

Hopes for a Voice

Despite Mr Dutton standing firm on his opposition to the Voice, Ms Clay believes he should rethink his views.

“He should [be supporting the Voice] but we don’t expect him to. He’ll oppose everything,” she said.

“[It makes me feel] like I’ve felt all my life, like we are nothing. It does hurt.”

Ms Clay said Palm Island “needs a lot of help” and hopes the Voice can start addressing some of the community’s biggest concerns.

“There are over 5000 of us here, and you still have 20 people to a house,” she said.

“It’s hard sometimes; it causes a lot of friction and the young people don’t have jobs.

“All the kids are going to school and graduating, but there are no jobs.

A town in the spotlight

As Alice Springs remains in the headlines while the community tackles the ongoing issue of youth crime, Arrente people say that despite Mr Dutton’s high-profile visit in January, conversations were not about a Voice.

“Not once during that half an hour, or hour discussion did we talk about the Voice,” said Graeme Smith, CEO of the Lhere Artepe Aboriginal Corporation.

“He came down and wanted to know about crime and that knee-jerk reaction stuff that brang Albanese.”

While Mr Smith didn’t get the opportunity to share his views on a Voice to Parliament with the opposition leader, he says he is a strong supporter of the proposal.

“We actually support the Voice at Lhere Artepe because if politicians were doing their job … we wouldn’t be here in the dire straits of Aboriginal issues. That’s why we need a Voice,” he said.

“The Voice will play out in many ways on the ground, and we’re practising that now.”

Mr Smith says the Liberal Party is “missing the bigger picture” by labelling the proposal a “Canberra Voice”, and says the body would help to elevate Indigenous-led solutions to issues including the reduction of youth crime in Alice Springs.

“Some people say alcohol had an effect on that, and maybe. But what’s had a bigger effect are the local Arrente people saying enough is enough,” he said.

“Alice Springs is settling down itself by cultural authority.”

The ABC was also told during Mr Dutton’s trip that only a handful of local residents were asked about their thoughts on a Voice to Parliament.

‘There needs to be bipartisan support’

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Mr Seelander says bipartisan support is needed to ensure change to improve the lives of First Nations people.

“People are really worried for our youth and our communities and how unhealthy it is at the moment,” he said.

“We’ve got to find a way forward to rectify some of these issues in our communities … and that’s going to take everybody working together.”

Mr Smith says it’s time to put politics aside.