Tony Abbott asks Voice committee to ‘pull’ referendum proposal and start over

Tony Abbott has told a parliamentary committee the Indigenous Voice to Parliament would be a “mistake” because it would give “about 4% of the population” a greater say in government affairs than “everyone else”. 

The former prime minister initially didn’t make the cut for Monday’s witness list at the inquiry into the proposed Voice, but was granted a slot after he complained in a newspaper article and a Twitter statement about being “gagged”. 

“Tony Abbott, the 28th prime minister, but coming as a private citizen to talk about an incredibly important topic,” he introduced himself. 

Abbott said he opposed the Voice because it would “divide our country on the basis of ancestry”. 

“As you know, I think that this Voice is wrong in principle, and I think it’s potentially quite dangerous in practice,” he said.

Abbott suggested “pulling” the proposal and starting the process again, “in a less partisan way”. 

“I would hope that the committee might recommend that we go back and start again,” he said.

“But if it’s not prepared to do that, I do hope that it will recommend some significant changes to the wording, as I say, to ensure that it’s not the High Court that in the end has the last word, as opposed to the Australian people, and to ensure that this doesn’t amount to an effective veto on the workings of government.”

Abbott was asked by Greens Senator Dorinda Cox about a line from his submission to the inquiry where he said: “What’s missing are some of the key features of ordinary Australian life: kids going to school; adults going to work; and communities being policed”. 

“You believe that the lack of policing is an issue in First Nations communities?” she asked. 

“It’s one of them, it’s absolutely one of them,” Abbott responded. 

Ahead of Monday’s hearing, Abbott told The Sydney Morning Herald he had been rejected from appearing.

“Why gag people … I can’t believe that such a big change is being rushed through with so little scrutiny,” he told the newspaper. 

By mid-morning, the committee members appeared to have changed their minds. 

“The parliamentary committee on the Voice which previously didn’t want oral testimony from me has now asked me to appear … I’m grateful for the chance,” Abbott said in a statement posted to Twitter at 10.12am.

Are you interested in Tony Abbott’s views on the Voice? Let us know by writing to letters@crikey.com.au. Please include your full name to be considered for publication. We reserve the right to edit for length and clarity.