Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s claim that the Voice referendum is not about a ‘treaty’ with indigenous people was undermined again in a photo op with independent Teal MPs to promote the Yes vote.
Pictured with crossed MPs Sophie Scamps, Allegra Spender, Zoe Daniel, Kate Chaney, Kylea Tink and Monique Ryan – all with the word ‘Yes’ drawn on their hands – a small detail was found on a brochure in Kooyong’s possession MP Ms Ryan spotted by One Nation Senator Pauline Hanson.
“Please explain?” Ms Hanson captioned the photo, which was posted to Twitter, on Friday.
MPs from different benches (pictured from left to right) Sophie Scamps, Allegra Spender, Zoe Daniel, Kate Chaney, Kylea Tink and Monique Ryan posed for a photo with the Prime Minister with the word ‘Yes’ drawn on their hands
A detail in the photo did not go unnoticed after a ‘Yes’ campaign brochure featured the word ‘treaty’ on the front, prompting a swift response from Pauline Hanson for an ‘explain’ after the photo was posted on Twitter.
Ms Hanson used one of her best-known slogans to highlight the appearance of the word “treaty” on Ms Ryan’s folder.
“Please explain” was the famous response the One Nation Senator gave to 60 Minutes reporter Tracey Curro when asked if she knew what the word “xenophobic” meant in a 1996 television interview.
Mr Albanese has been at pains during the referendum campaign to play down the prospect of a treaty and possible reparations for Indigenous Australians, insisting the vote is only about constitutional recognition and giving the vote to Parliament.
He insisted that The Voice is ‘not about a treaty’, despite being pictured wearing a T-shirt at a Midnight Oil concert with the words ‘Voice, Truth, Treaty’.
In a fiery interview on 2GB Radio, Mr Albanese argued against focusing on the word.
“This is not about a treaty,” he repeatedly told radio host Ben Fordham during the heated exchange.
“I can’t say it any clearer: Compensation has nothing to do with what people will vote on later this year.”
The Yes campaign has been marred by allegations that the Voice, if successful, could demand reparations for land taken from First Nations people.
The Prime Minister has committed to fully adopting the Uluru Statement from the heart, including a Makarrata Commission.
The Commission – which refers to ‘making agreements’ and ‘telling the truth’ – is part of the process of seeking a treaty between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
It sparked fierce criticism from leading ‘No’ campaigner Warren Mundine, who criticized the Prime Minister for refusing to discuss how the treaty and truth-telling would work if the ‘Yes’ vote were successful.
“Now he’s pretending the treaty isn’t part of it – but the fact is that’s what the whole Uluru Statement from the heart is about,” Mr Mundine told Daily Mail Australia.
“He’s made that very clear from day one, and if he really believes this, it’s time for them to get bold and tell the truth about what they’re going to do,” he said.
Anthony Albanese (pictured center) has had to deny on several occasions that the Voice to Parliament will conclude a treaty between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians
Daily Mail exclusively revealed prominent ‘Yes’ campaigner Thomas Mayo outlined his vision if there was a vote in Parliament – including reparations for Indigenous people and ‘rent’ paid to live on Australian land.
In a series of tweets, Mr Mayo explained that his push for an eventual treaty would see land returned to First Nations people.
His comments are at odds with Mr Albanese’s assurance that the Vote is not about concluding a treaty.
Prominent ‘Yes’ campaigner Thomas Mayo (pictured centre) has outlined his ambitions for reparations for Indigenous people, including paying ‘rent’ to live on Australian land, in tweets that have since been unearthed
The Prime Minister announced the date of the Voice referendum, which will take place on October 14.
Voters will decide whether Australia should include an Indigenous voice in the constitution.
The referendum question will be: ‘A Bill: To amend the Constitution to recognize Australia’s First Peoples by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. Do you approve of this proposed change?’