Indigenous Voice to Parliament: Julie Bishop warns a No vote would send a ‘negative’ message to the world and damage Australia’s reputation

Julie Bishop has warned Australia risks a global backlash if the proposed Indigenous Voice to Parliament ends in a no vote.

The former federal deputy Liberal leader-turned-chancellor of the Australian National University has moved away from opposition from the Coalition of the Voice and supports the Yes campaign.

She teamed up with her former political rivals, including current Secretary of State Senator Penny Wong, in her hometown of Perth on Monday to rally support for the ‘Yes’ vote ahead of October’s referendum.

Ms Bishop is “most concerned” about the message a no vote could send to the rest of the world, fearing it could tarnish Australia’s image of “openness and empathy”.

“It’s not a front and center issue for most people, but I know Australia’s international reputation could be tarnished by a no vote,” she said.

“I have no doubt this will send a very negative message about the openness, empathy and respect and responsibility that the Australian people have for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

“It’s probably harder for Penny to say this because on the international stage she has to promote Australia’s current position, but I would be most concerned about the message this would send to the rest of the world if we not found in the text. our hearts to say yes.’

She believed the Voice is the chance to ‘get things right’ for Indigenous Australians and hopes to see a respectful and sensible debate in the coming weeks.

“We’ve done a lot of research and analysis on the Uluru Declaration from the Heart, the Yes campaign, the referendum, and we believe this is an opportunity to set things right,” Ms Bishop added.

“I believe this is an opportunity, first of all, to give Aboriginal Torres Strait Islanders their rightful place in the Constitution, but second, to give them the right, the risk and the responsibility to come up with policies that tackle the problems as they see them. and get better results, and I really believe this is our chance.’

The Voice referendum requires both a national majority and a majority in at least four of the six states to pass.

While Ms. Bishop is popular in her home state, Western Australia is one of the states that currently has a majority support with the No vote.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will attend a Yes campaign event in Adelaide on Wednesday where the date of the referendum will be announced, reportedly October 14.

The federal cabinet met in Perth on Monday, where it was expected to discuss and sign the referendum plan.

Ms Bishop explained her reasons for supporting The Voice at the National Press Club last month.

She said the country should give indigenous people the opportunity to come up with solutions to reduce inequality and inequality.

“It’s about giving indigenous people the right to make decisions to implement policies that work. We have to give it a chance.’

Polls show The Voice is on track to be beaten, with Victoria currently the only state to support a yes vote.

For the referendum to succeed, it must receive a majority of the national vote and also win at least four of the six states.

Nationally, the No side leads with 47 percent, the Yes side with 43 percent, while 10 percent of people are still undecided.