...By Gift BADEWO for TDPel Media.
Former Indigenous Affairs Minister Resigns from Liberal Party Over Voice Referendum
Former Indigenous Affairs minister Ken Wyatt has resigned from the Liberal Party after the party’s decision to oppose the Indigenous voice referendum.
Wyatt, the first Indigenous person to hold the portfolio, reportedly handed in his resignation on Thursday, saying he still believed in the Liberal Party’s values but did not believe in what the party had become.
He said that Aboriginal people are reaching out to be heard, but the Liberals have rejected their invitation.
Wyatt’s resignation follows the Liberal Party’s decision to support constitutional recognition for Indigenous people in the constitution but not an enshrined voice to parliament and executive government.
Mr. Wyatt was a member of the referendum working group that helped shape the final proposal to be put to the public at the poll later this year.
He was also a member of cabinet in Scott Morrison’s government when a previous version of the Indigenous voice was being considered.
Mr. Wyatt served as a cabinet minister from 2019 to 2022 before losing his Perth-based seat of Hasluck at the last federal election.
In 2010, he made history as the first Aboriginal member of the House of Representatives.
Tasmanian Liberal backbencher Bridget Archer has also considered resigning over the party’s voice position.
She said like-minded moderate Liberals keep her on the opposition benches as she fights for the party’s return as a credible alternative to the government.
Ms. Archer said it was another example of the Liberal Party not presenting a credible alternative to government in opposition.
Liberal Party’s Opposition to Voice Referendum Criticized
Former deputy Liberal leader and Aboriginal affairs minister Fred Chaney called the decision to oppose the voice a “massive disappointment.”
He said that he was sadly not surprised because he thought the party was desperately looking for political advantage instead of treating it as a serious issue.
He added that it was a big sell-out of the party’s own legacy.
Meanwhile, outspoken Tasmanian Liberal backbencher Bridget Archer also criticized the party’s voice position, saying she was concerned about Opposition Leader Peter Dutton confirming he would actively support a “no” campaign on the voice.
Former Liberal leader John Hewson said Mr. Dutton had failed to learn any lessons from the party’s recent historic loss at the Aston by-election in Melbourne’s east.
Dr. Hewson said Mr. Dutton would likely think his “no” stance would be the critical blow for the Indigenous voice.
The Aston result, where the government won a seat from the opposition at a by-election for the first time in more than 100 years, showed the Liberals needed to change their approach.
Dr. Hewson said that one of the messages of Aston was that people were sick and tired of politicians playing games, just scoring points on each other on the negativity of the opposition.
Commentary
Ken Wyatt’s resignation from the Liberal Party over the party’s opposition to the Indigenous voice referendum is a significant blow to the party’s credibility on Indigenous issues.
Wyatt was a member of the referendum working group and served as Indigenous Affairs minister until 2022.
The Liberal Party’s decision to support constitutional recognition for Indigenous people in the constitution but not an enshrined voice to parliament and executive government has been criticized by other party members, including Bridget Archer, who has considered resigning over the party’s voice position.
The opposition to the voice referendum by Liberal Party members has also been criticized by former deputy Liberal leader and Aboriginal affairs minister Fred Chaney and former Liberal leader John Hewson.
