The head of the Yes campaign for the Voice to Parliament has sidestepped questions about paying reparations to indigenous peoples after controversial comments were made by one of the proposal’s main architects.
Yes23 campaign director, Dean Parkin, was asked about comments by Thomas Mayo, who also sits on the board of the same campaign, in a series of videos published before a referendum on a First Nations Voice was announced.
In a 2020 excerpt, Mr Mayo spoke of the proposal as a step toward compensation for indigenous peoples.
“Pay the Rent,” for example, how do we do that in a way that is transparent and actually sees reparations and compensation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people beyond what we say and do in a meeting?” he said.
The ‘Pay the Rent’ movement wants homeowners to voluntarily pay a percentage of their income to Aboriginal elders, without government oversight or intervention.
When 2GB broadcaster Ben Fordham asked about this on Tuesday, Mr Parkin replied: ‘It has nothing to do with the voice.’
The campaign manager of the Yes campaign, Dean Parkin (pictured left with the head of Indigenous Affairs and Strategic Inclusion at National Australia Bank, Eveanne Liddle), was asked about Mr Mayo’s comments on 2GB on Tuesday
One of the architects of the Voice to Parliament, Thomas Mayo (pictured), spoke about making compensation for indigenous peoples a reality during a 2020 unearthed video
“The Voice has definitely, and always has, been trying to get to the heart of the real issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in communities (such as) health, education,” he said.
“Everyone is talking about their young people, whether in urban areas or in remote areas. I was in Barunga last week, they are worried about the future of their young people. That’s what the Voice will focus on.’
Mr Parkin was again asked about ‘paying the rent’ after the audio of Mr Mayo’s video played on air.
“It’s not the conservation I have now, Ben,” Mr. Parkin replied. “That’s not the weight of the issues people have discussed with me.”
“Everyone will have their say on these issues, they will be able to bring them into the piece, but it will be our crowd on the ground that will hold the Voice people to account.”
“They’re going to have to look them in the eye and say, ‘Well, what are you doing about clean drinking water in our communities?’ What are you doing to take care of our young people?’
“These are the things Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders want action on.”
He added that there would be “huge responsibility on the members of the Voice.”
In March, Mr Mayo stood shoulder to shoulder with a tearful Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as the official wording of the referendum question was announced
Mr Mayo said in another unearthed video posted in 2021 that politicians would be ‘punished’ if they ignored the advisory body’s advice.
“The power of the voice is that it creates the opportunity for First Nations to come together through representatives they elect, representatives they can hold accountable,” he said.
‘And then move on to coherent views on how things should be: what legislation should be passed, what legislation should be amended, what funding is needed and where.
‘And then be able to campaign for it, and punish politicians who disregard our advice. That’s where the power comes from.’
In response to that comment, Mr Parkin said the Yes campaign wanted to make sure politicians ‘make the right decisions on the issues that affect our communities’.
“This is not a partisan take in any shape or form, but over the years they (politicians) just haven’t got it right.”
“We want them to be more rigorously held accountable on issues related to Indigenous affairs.”
Mr Mayo (pictured) said in another video from 2021 that politicians should be ‘punished’ if they ignore advice from the advisory body
Mr. Mayo has said the referendum would be the best chance to close the gap in life outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.
“As I have spent the past six years traveling the country and speaking to all kinds of interest groups, including people of all political persuasions, I have tried to bridge the gap by helping them see it from their perspective,” he said. The Australian.
“I stand behind this referendum as a unifying proposal, it is about peace and love and that is purely my interest for this country.”
His advocacy has drawn criticism from prominent ‘no’ campaigners, including Aboriginal Senator and Shadow Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, and Indigenous Leader and former Labor Party Chairman, Warren Mundine.
She described Mr Mayo’s comments as “divisive statements” made “publicly and with pride”.
“These shocking revelations speak to the aggressive and radical agenda behind The Voice and shatter once and for all the myth that this massive amendment to our constitution is ‘a humble request,'” she said.
“He is very clear that the intent, aim, ambition of the Voice and this referendum is to divide Australians.”
His comments have drawn backlash from ‘No’ campaigners, such as Shadow Indigenous Affairs Minister Jacinta Nampijinpa Price (pictured)
Mr Mundine told Daily Mail Australia that the controversy surrounding Mr Mayo’s comments would “bring a whole new twist to the ‘Yes’ campaign”.
“We know very well who he is. We know his political leanings,” he said.
“We’ve already said it (The Voice to Parliament) is more than just an advisory group.”
The Voice referendum is expected to be held sometime between October and December this year.