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Bombshell when Nationals deputy LEAVES party for his opposition to an Indigenous Voice in parliament: ‘It’s just not right’
- Federal MP for Calare Andrew Gee will sit in parliament as an independent
- He announced that he will leave the National Party for his opposition to the ‘Voice’
- Mr Gee said he could not ‘align himself behind a party position… I don’t agree with’
Federal Nationals MP Andrew Gee is leaving the party to serve as an independent after the junior coalition partner opposed the indigenous voice in parliament.
National MP Andrew Gee has announced his resignation from the party and will sit in federal parliament as an independent.
Mr Gee, who represents the Calare seat in New South Wales, said he would be leaving the junior coalition party after its decision to oppose the indigenous voice in parliament.
“I cannot reconcile the fact that all Australians will get a free vote on the vital issue of Voice, but National Party MPs are expected to line up behind a party position that I fundamentally disagree with and vote accordingly in parliament.” ‘ he said in a statement.
‘While I respect the opinions of my colleagues, this is simply not right. I did not provoke the debate within the Nationals about the Voice or the press conference that followed.
Federal MP Andrew Gee (left) resigned from the National Party over his support for a ‘no’ vote in a referendum on an Indigenous Voice to parliament
Mr Gee said the recent floods in New South Wales which devastated rural areas had “brought to the fore” the importance of speaking up.
“Now more than ever, communities in our region need their parliamentarian on their side to advocate for that support, regardless of the political fringe of the state or federal government,” he said.
“While I accept that in politics you have to make concessions, there comes a point where not speaking freely can compromise the interests of those we represent.”
The coalition’s junior partner described the call to parliament, which is due for a referendum in the second half of 2023, as divisive and the body would do little to improve the lives of indigenous peoples.
Gee broke ranks with the Nationals after the party’s announcement of its opposition to the voice, calling it “absurd” to expect him to change his stance on the issue.
The federal parliamentarian said the decision had been a difficult one, but he could now serve his constituency “free of partisan restrictions.”
Mr Gee (left) said the decision had been a difficult one, but he could now serve his constituency “free of party constraints.” Pictured with Nationals leader David Littleproud (center) and former party leader Barnaby Joyce (right)
‘I wish David Littleproud the best as the leader of the Nationals. He is a good man and he has my respect. Unfortunately, this problem runs deeper than the role of one person,” he said.
“I will continue the vital work of ensuring the bright future of our region.”
Mr Gee was elected to the seat in 2016, after previously serving in the NSW parliament.