Broadcaster Neil Mitchell has called on the Prime Minister to postpone the referendum on the Indigenous Voice to Parliament due to polls indicating that it will be rejected by a majority of Australians. The Redbridge Poll, recently released, shows that the ‘Yes’ vote has dropped under 40 percent in every state except Victoria. Nationally, only 39 percent of those polled said they would vote for the Voice, while a significant 61 percent indicated that they would reject the proposed constitutional change.
Mitchell, speaking on his 3AW radio program, argued that postponing the divisive referendum would be the “right thing” to do. He suggested that the Prime Minister should take the opportunity to cancel the vote, even though it may be embarrassing and costly. Mitchell believes that a ‘No’ vote could create enormous upset for Indigenous people, making cancellation the least worst option. He urged the Prime Minister to work with the opposition and others to find a new way of creating a less contentious Voice.
According to Mitchell, the Voice appears to be on track for rejection, prompting the need for a different plan. He proposed delaying the vote and using the time to reach a deal with the opposition and other stakeholders to achieve recognition of Indigenous people in the Constitution. Mitchell acknowledged that it may take another year to sort out the details, but emphasized the urgency of addressing the needs of the Indigenous community. He argued that doing nothing is not an option and called for the development of a plan B.
The call to postpone the referendum comes as polls suggest significant opposition to the proposed Indigenous Voice to Parliament. While the intention behind the Voice is to provide Indigenous Australians with greater representation in the decision-making process, many Australians have expressed concerns about the potential implications of such a constitutional change. Some fear that it could create a separate voice for Indigenous Australians, potentially undermining the principle of equality under the law. Others worry that it could lead to division and further polarization in Australian society.
The Prime Minister now faces a decision on whether to heed Mitchell’s call and postpone the referendum, or proceed as planned. Regardless of the outcome, it is clear that the issue of the Indigenous Voice to Parliament will continue to generate debate and discussion in the months to come. The challenge will be to find a way to address the concerns and aspirations of Indigenous Australians while also ensuring that any proposed changes to the Constitution reflect the broader values and interests of the Australian people as a whole.
Source link
