Warren Mundine: High profile Voice No campaigner makes shock career move

No-supporter Warren Mundine’s short-lived campaign to contest the NSW Liberal Senate position set to be vacated by former Foreign Secretary Marise Payne is over.

The decision follows what has been a painful week for Mr Mundine after he was forced to backtrack on his position on treaties with Indigenous Australians.

When asked on the ABC’s Insiders program whether treaties were more likely if the referendum failed, Mr Mundine said: ‘Yes, because if there is no vote on October 15 then the real work begins.’

But when asked to clarify his position on Sunday, the No lawyer instead referred to “native titles and land rights”.

Mr Mundine also revealed he would like to change the date of Australia Day, a position at odds with other leading No campaigners.

It is understood that one of his companies has entered into a contract with the federal government, which could see him excluded from parliament.

Mr Mundine (pictured right) has campaigned intensively for a ‘No’ vote in the run-up to the Voice to Parliament referendum, alongside Shadow Minister for Indigenous Affairs Jacinta Nampijinpa Price (pictured right)

The withdrawal means former NSW government minister Andrew Constance is now the clear front-runner for the vacancy; However, other candidates are expected to announce their names before nominations close on November 4.

Previously, Mr Mundine was a candidate for the federal seat of Gilmore in the 2019 election and president of the Labor Party.

Mr Constance previously contested a vacancy in the NSW Liberal Senate after former senator Jim Molan died in January this year.

Although Mr Constance was ultimately unsuccessful, partly because he failed to secure the support of left-wing heavyweights in the NSW Liberal Party, he is expected to secure their support for the upcoming preselection.

Mr Mundine also said he would like to see the date of Australia Day changed