Minister for Indigenous Australians
GREG JENNETT, HOST: Linda Burney, great to have some time with you. The Voice seems virtually unstoppable from here, having passed the House. You did your bit as a member there and you did find yourself unusually, I suppose sitting alongside many Liberals, the vast majority of them. Is there a sense now in which the easy part is done? The hardest struggle lies ahead from today?
LINDA BURNEY, MINISTER FOR INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS: Well, I'm just so excited that the bill has gone through the House of Reps. Of course, it travels to the Senate and we expect a similar outcome in the Senate, as we saw today. Those people that voted no will be the people who will be writing the no pamphlet. And of course, conversely, those that voted yes will write the yes pamphlet. But the really important thing is that I believe that there is such growing momentum for the Voice and it's what it can do, it's not what it isn't going to do. It's what it can do. And of course, the issue of recognition and the issue of listening to make sure that there are good practical outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is absolutely what this is about.
GREG JENNETT, HOST: Just for some insight into what happened on the floor because you were sitting alongside Liberals who will quickly move to the other side, metaphorically speaking, and be fighting this proposal for the next four or five months. Was there any sense there in which at least you united on the exercise of making the referendum happen? Did any express that to you?
LINDA BURNEY, MINISTER FOR INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS: I didn't have anyone express that to me. But what's important, Greg is it has gone through, with overwhelming support through the House of Reps and the referendum is a reality. It's standing in front of us. And now is the time for positive campaigns, positive messages. And I think a lot of grace in this debate.
GREG JENNETT, HOST: And I will ask you about some process that lies ahead from here. As you say, the Senate is the next stop and it should sail through there on the numbers. Is it your expectation and the Prime Minister's expectation to name the date soon after passage of this Alteration Bill through the Senate?
LINDA BURNEY, MINISTER FOR INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS: Well, the Prime Minister is the person that will name the date, that's his prerogative and that's very respected. What I can tell you, it will definitely not be on a grand final day. So the NRL and AFL is quite safe and the Prime Minister will name the date, but the important thing is, a very strong positive campaign and look at the support that's come on board. We've got the faith groups, we've got the union movement, the AFL, the NRL, the ARU, netball cricket, tennis, the Olympic Committee. Every day, some new organisations, like Qantas, joins the yes campaign. So I am so buoyed by that.
GREG JENNETT, HOST: And today I think a multicultural group put its shoulder to the wheel, as well and yet we see some MPs in the parliament representing you know, areas around Western Sydney who are ambivalent, sitting on the fence, I suppose might be an accurate description, Dai Lee would be an example, they represent widely multicultural communities. Do you acknowledge that there is more work for the Yes campaign still to be done in those communities?
LINDA BURNEY, MINISTER FOR INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS: Well of course, there is more work for the Yes campaign and that's precisely what we're going to see. Yes 23 have some fantastic initiatives on foot. They've almost got staffing right across this country. And they are really doing some amazing work in terms of a volunteer workforce. They are getting lots of information out there. We've got the Uluru Dialogues with the Start a Yarn, and that campaign, and they have been going for six years. So there's just so much going on out there. And of course, the government has its civics education campaign happening right now.
GREG JENNETT, HOST: And of course, there's that other formal piece of information that comes from the Yes. And the No sides that emanates from the parliament itself, well with the Senate still to vote obviously. Are you open to, do you expect that some Liberals will join the Yes campaign, as they kind of technically are permitted to do, because of these votes?
LINDA BURNEY, MINISTER FOR INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS: I expect that there will be a variety of people that will join the putting together of that particular pamphlet. Those things are to be worked through. There is obviously a timeframe for submitting it to the AEC and the most important thing is, is that we understand that this is about practical outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and recognition in the Constitution. That's absolutely what our focus will be.
GREG JENNETT, HOST: And is there quality assurance on those, not so much from the Yes campaign point of view, I think you're outlining to us the principles in that pamphlet. But as you looked across the chamber today towards some of those who will help prepare the No pamphlet, can you be certain that there is no misinformation to be contained in those?
LINDA BURNEY, MINISTER FOR INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS: Well, I hope that the information is correct. And what I really encourage is for this debate, to be respectful, for people to be listened to, and for people to show a great deal of understanding in different perspectives. I want this to be a gracious debate and a unifying debate. I see no point in a rancorous discussion. That's not what people want to hear. They want to understand that this will make a difference for the lives of Aboriginal people.
GREG JENNETT, HOST: Finally, Linda Burney keen to get your reflections on the AFL and the Hawthorn Football Club specifically, their investigation into historical racism. It has come to an end without any findings against any individual. Is that a satisfactory resolution?
LINDA BURNEY, MINISTER FOR INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS: I make it very clear that there is no room for racism anywhere in this country, in any institution, in any workplace, and it is a terrible thing to experience racism. I feel very much for the families that have been involved in this episode. I understand that some of those families may be pursuing other means of dealing with the issue through the Human Rights Commission. So I actually don't want to say too much.
GREG JENNETT, HOST: Is that an option, though, that you would encourage any party?
LINDA BURNEY, MINISTER FOR INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS: Well it's not my role to encourage people. It's my role to be respectful of what people are saying. But I also know that over 20 years ago Nicky Winmar took a stand against racism and there was a beautiful healing ceremony not so long ago. I was down in Melbourne, two weekends ago, at Dreamtime at the G and did the Long Walk with Michael Long and he's going to recreate that Long Walk for advocating for a yes, in the coming referendum. I think that it is important that there is a stand against racism and I see that very much as part of my role, but everyone's role.
GREG JENNETT, HOST: And the sporting codes, as we move beyond the Voice assuming it is established, obviously Makarrata Commissions and truth telling are part of that process, does that filter down to non-government organisations such as the AFL in your view, to go about some of that healing if we get that far?
LINDA BURNEY, MINISTER FOR INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS: I think the AFL has been very proactive in that space. The Hawthorn incident has been investigated. People are making up their own minds about what they want to do. And I just reiterate Greg, there is no room for racism anywhere.
GREG JENNETT, HOST: Noted. Linda Burney, thanks so much for joining us on Afternoon Briefing.
LINDA BURNEY, MINISTER FOR INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS Thank you.
