The Voice wins a huge celebrity endorsement from an American rapper – prompting furious backlash from No camp: ‘Fix your own country’
The Voice receives a lot of celebrity support from an American rapper, which leads to angry reactions from No Camp: ‘Fix your own country’
American rapper MC Hammer, known for his hit ‘U Can’t Touch This’, has entered the Australian Voice to Parliament debate.
Hammer has spent time ‘reading articles’ and ‘being informed’ about the October 14 referendum, and wants his Australian fans to support a yes vote.
“Australia, it’s time. Repair the break. I share your opinion.’
Hammer noted that Australia “has no treaty with its indigenous people and has done little compared to other British dominions such as Canada, New Zealand and the United States to include and uplift its First Nations people.”
Hammer has spent time ‘reading articles’ and ‘being informed’ about the October 14 referendum, and wants his Australian fans to support a ‘yes’ vote
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson was among the critics, responding with a video of activist Thomas Mayo captioned: ‘exposed – the not so secret true agenda’
He credits outspoken Yes advocate Professor Megan Davis and her work to educate people about the Vote.
Quoting Davis, he said: “A successful referendum will set a precedent that will be “very useful for other indigenous peoples around the world when it comes to recognition.”
Ms Davis worked with the government to help create the referendum question, and was embroiled in the debate over the duration of the Uluru Declaration from the Heart.
After Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described concerns that the statement was actually longer than the page initially mentioned as a “QAnon conspiracy,” images emerged of Professor Davis describing it as an 18-page document.
Hammer taking a stand on a controversial Australian issue has divided the political world.
Hammer taking a stand on a controversial Australian issue has divided the political world
Australians will vote in the referendum on October 14 to determine whether an Indigenous voice in Parliament will be enshrined in our Constitution
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson was among the critics, responding with a video of activist Thomas Mayo entitled: ‘exposed – the not so secret true agenda’.
She said: ‘Here’s some more useful information for anyone interested in this referendum.’
‘Once again, Yes’ supporters seem bizarrely obsessed with attracting attention from American celebrities. This is not an American election, this is an Australian referendum.”
Others urged Hammer to “fix his own country first” and argued that he was advocating a proposal that would “divide another country along racial lines.”
“Seriously, you have no idea. Australia is not the US,” said another critic.
Similar criticism was leveled against Shaquille O’Neal and Mr Albanese after the basketball legend also endorsed the Voice following a meeting with the Prime Minister in August 2022.
The Prime Minister hit back, saying: ‘I make no apology for saying I will talk to anyone, anywhere, about these issues. And anything we can do to raise awareness of this issue is a good thing.”
NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal (center) is pictured with Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney (left) and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (right)
Hammer said the reaction was expected, arguing that there is “one Earth.”
‘Politics is no longer domestic. The world is inextricably linked… I cannot avoid your politics… We have a responsibility to each other.”
But others thanked MC Hammer for using his platform to draw attention to the referendum.