Permanent debate is the lifeblood of democracies. But political leaders also have a responsibility to avoid toxic language that leaves politics polarised, writes Alexander Downer.
… honouring Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders, the nation’s first people, for their deep kinship with their lands and for their ancient and continuing cultures which enrich the life of our country …
Now, in 2023, the current government thinks it’s best to ignore the suggestions of the opposition and press on with the Indigenous Voice to parliament referendum, regardless of the amendments suggested by both the Liberal Party and the National Party.that the Voice referendum was going to be deeply divisive. And so it is. Preposterous allegations are already been made against anybody who dares oppose the Voice.
Then there was a reaction, personified by Donald Trump. Things only went from bad to worse. Hilary Clinton called the tens of millions of Trump supporters “a basket of deplorables”, and Trump has never eased up in his often vulgar condemnation of his political and media detractors. This is not a plea, though, for bipartisanship or consensus. Last week, one of the most significant of all
Whatever the result of the referendum, around half the country is going to be unhappy. More than that, my guess is that if the referendum is successful, that will be just the beginning of huge controversies and squabbling over the composition of the Voice, and when it is finally underway, over its advice and the credibility of its advice .
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