Jacinta Price accuses Albanese of bullying, gaslighting over Indigenous Voice to Parliament

Jacinta Price has warned that Australia should “be vigilant” that Anthony Albanese’s government begins to intensify “harassment, deceit and emotional blackmail” ahead of the Indigenous Voice’s proposed referendum in Parliament.

The senator from the Indian Nationals’ fury was sparked by comments from Minister Linda Burney, who declared that the government would not fund either side of the Yes/No argument.

This is despite the fact that the federal budget has already earmarked up to $235 million for the referendum that could take place next year with $75 million to spend before Australians cast their ballots.

Senator Price has been one of the biggest critics of the proposal, as she believes the push to recognize First Nations people in the Constitution and potentially establish a third house of parliament to advise the government will create further division and not will address the disadvantages.

He has accused Labor of saturating public service, education systems and government-funded NGOs with ‘propaganda’ from the Yes campaign.

The Northern Territory-based senator fears the government will step up’intimidation, gaslighting and emotional blackmail’ in a desperate effort to bring the Indigenous Voice to Parliament across the line.

“When the diplomatic Prime Minister refers to the Australian public being responsible for financing the Yes and No campaigns, what he really means is that the big corporations that Labor have been courting for the last few years will be heavily financing the Yes campaign on behalf of Labour,” the senator said. said price newscorp.

‘It is blatantly apparent that Labor is not interested in fully and equally informing the Australian public about the No argument, only the Yes argument.

“They will intensify their tactics of intimidation, manipulation and emotional blackmail – everyone is informed.”

According to budget figures released in October, $160 million is already in a “contingency reserve” to fund Australia’s first referendum since 1999.

A further $75.1 million has been set aside for ‘preparation and support work’, (increasing) First Nations registration and participation’, along with ‘$6.5 million for the National Indigenous Australians Agency to support the Referendum ‘.

Indigenous minister Linda Burney insists that no government funds will be given to conduct official ‘yes’ and ‘no’ campaigns for the referendum.

Corporate and private donations are expected for both sides of the argument.

“We will use public funds to finance a civic education campaign, so that people know what referendums are,” Ms Burney told ABC last week.

‘We will not use public funds to finance a yes or no campaign. We believe that these campaigns can raise their own money, through private means.’

By comparison, the previous John Howard administration contributed $7.5 million each to the ‘yes’ and ‘no’ cases of the 1999 Republican referendum.

Both parties were not allowed to raise funds or accept outside donations.

More details about what an indigenous voice in parliament would look like and how it would affect communities will be released ahead of the referendum.

Ms Burney said Australians will be “well informed” about what they were voting for when they go to the polls.

“They will have a good understanding of why voice improves First Nations life outcomes, but also the issues of how it will work,” he said.

“And, more importantly, what it will mean to bring this country together.”

The debate has erupted after the Prime Minister proposed a referendum on recognition of First Nations people in the constitution and consultation with them on decisions that affect their lives.

The proposed referendum has generated more questions than answers since it was unveiled in a landmark announcement in August.

At the recent GQ Man of the Year Awards in Sydney, Mr. Albanese delivered a moving speech, calling on the nation to enact Voice of Parliament.

So in the next year, 2023, you will have a voice. You will have the same vote as me. Make sure it counts,” he addressed the crowd.

‘Make sure you do something you’re proud of and make a difference in this country. It’s a huge risk, and it’s a risk First Nations elders are willing to take, because they’re sick of waiting for recognition.

“And a Voice in Parliament is just that: it’s for them to be consulted on issues that affect them, but it also means that our nation’s birth certificate is really as it should be.”