The National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples has criticised Scott Morrison for shutting down debate on an Indigenous voice to parliament.
Mr Morrison blasted the proposal on Wednesday and warned an Indigenous advisory body enshrined in the Constitution would end up acting like a “third chamber” of parliament, like the House of Representatives or the Senate.
Co-chair of the national congress Rod Little said Mr Morrison’s outright rejection had not treated the idea with “any respect”, and urged the prime minister to reopen the debate.
He said the rejection stood in stark contrast with Mr Morrison’s promise earlier in the week to open a “conversation” with Indigenous Australians about a new national holiday to celebrate their history and culture.
“I don’t understand because if in one breath you’re saying you want to have a conversation with First Peoples about a number of things, this should be one of those things, without a rejection first, no room for conversation,” Mr Little told SBS News.
Mr Little said it was “hypocritical” for the prime minister to prejudge the nature of the advisory body, given a cross-party parliamentary committee is still considering a final design and is yet to submit its final report.
National Congress' Rod Little. Source: Facebook @congressmob
“You’re making assumptions about this ‘third chamber’,” he said.
“We haven’t had a conversation to describe or explore what this voice or body might be.”
Mr Morrison strongly rejected the idea on ABC Radio earlier on Wednesday.
"I don't support a third chamber," he said.
"People can dress it up any way they like, but I think two chambers is enough.”
When challenged by the ABC interviewer who said the proposal was not for a “third chamber” of parliament, Mr Morrison responded:
"The implications of how this works frankly leads to those same conclusions, and I share the view that I don't think that's a workable proposal.”
Labor’s Indigenous MPs Pat Dodson and Malarndirri McCarthy said they were disappointed but not surprised by the prime minister's response.
"After all, this is the same government that repeatedly and disrespectfully dismisses and mischaracterises the aspirations of First Nations people," they said in a joint statement.
"Only Labor is committed to meaningful recognition and reconciliation through a constitutionally enshrined voice to parliament and a national process of truth-telling and agreement-making."
Scott Morrison has called the proposal for an Indigenous voice to parliament a "third chamber". Source: AAP
