The Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Attorney-General, the Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians and the Referendum Engagement Group today marked a significant moment in Australia’s history.
The group’s fifth meeting at Parliament House in Canberra, on the lands of the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people, coincided with the historic introduction of the Constitution Alteration Bill into the Australian Parliament.
MINISTER FOR INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS, LINDA BURNEY: Thank you all for coming this morning. This is truly history in the making. Today with the introduction of the Constitution Alteration Bill, we are one step closer to making history. One step closer to making history. One step closer to creating a Voice, that makes sure the voices of our people are heard. One step closer to improving lives with a Voice that make a difference. One step closer to moving Australia forward for everyone. This referendum is not about politicians. And it's not about lawyers.
STEVE MILLS, HOST: Clive Palmer's suing the federal government for $300 billion. If that's not weird in itself, the guy who's the head lawyer, and there's about 10 of them, is Christian Porter, who was the former Federal Attorney-General, and I would say was probably in power when the allegations are that the government didn't do what it should have done, and that he didn't have any luck with WA so now I'm gonna have a crack at the nation. I want to go to Geneva, I don't understand what this is about. Can you explain it to me?
Today the Albanese Labor Government is delivering on its election commitment to help close the gender pay gap for women in Australia.
The Workplace Gender Equality Amendment (Closing the Gender Pay Gap) Bill 2023 has passed the Parliament.
That means from early 2024, the gender pay gaps of employers with 100 or more workers will be published – a key reform to drive transparency and action towards closing the gender pay gap.
PATRICK GORMAN, ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE PRIME MINISTER:
Peter Dutton is playing hide and seek with the Australian people. He is hiding from the voters of Aston, while seeking their vote. Peter Dutton is hiding his policies, while seeking to undermine the policies of the Government. And Peter Dutton is hiding behind his front bench, while they seek to undermine progress towards a constitutionally enshrined Voice.
KIERAN GILBERT, HOST: As Andrew Clennell mentioned a bit earlier in the programme, this poll in the West Australian newspaper showing a strong uptick in support for the Voice to Parliament. 60% in favour of the yes vote in WA. Just 40% on the no side, let's bring in the Minister assisting the Prime Minister, Patrick Gorman. He's also a WA MP. Why do you think we're seeing that level of support in the west?
The Albanese Government is taking the next steps on the path to constitutional recognition through a Voice by introducing the Constitution Alteration Bill into the Parliament.
Cabinet has listened to the Referendum Working Group. The question the Parliament will now consider to be put to the Australian people at the 2023 referendum will be:
“A Proposed Law: to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.
The Albanese Government is taking the next steps on the path to constitutional recognition through a Voice by introducing the Constitution Alteration Bill into the Parliament.
Cabinet has listened to the Referendum Working Group. The question the Parliament will now consider to be put to the Australian people at the 2023 referendum will be:
“A Proposed Law: to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.
TOM CONNELL, HOST: We've got the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister, first of all, Patrick Gorman, and of course, former Liberal MP Jason Falinski, to talk through this and the wash up from the New South Wales election. Patrick, we better start with you. It sounds like a big concession. So a cap on gross emissions, the Greens are basically saying, well, coal and gas projects are going to struggle to get up from here on in. Is that right?
HOST, LISA MILLAR: Well, Australians now know what question they'll be asked later this year at the referendum to enshrine an Indigenous Voice into the Constitution. The Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney joins us now from Parliament. House. Minister Great to have you on News breakfast.
MINISTER FOR INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS, LINDA BURNEY: Thank you.
HOST, LISA MILLAR: It was clearly a very emotional day yesterday for you and others. What now, though, is going to get this cross the line for you?