Former Liberal deputy leader Julie Bishop has called for Australians to support the Indigenous voice to parliament.
In an address at the National Press Club on Wednesday, Bishop said: “Personally, my message to anyone who wants to listen to what I have to say is that I believe that it is a step in the right direction.”
“I sat through too many of those Closing the Gap speeches in parliament to sense that what we were doing was working to close the disparity and inequality between Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations.”
“In some instances, the key measures were getting worse, not better, so it’s not a question of money, it’s not a question of politicians coming up with policies, it’s a question of giving Indigenous people the franchise to make decisions to implement policies that will work,” she said.
“We’ve got to give it a chance.”
When asked whether she was disappointed that the Liberal party, which she led for 11 years, is actively campaigning against a “yes” vote, Bishop said: “I’m not excited, I’m not disappointed. I’m pragmatic about the choices that political parties take.”
She reiterated that it was her personal decision to support the “yes” vote as she believes it’s a step in the right direction.
“No one’s claiming that it’s going to end inequality and disparity but surely we have to try something that comes from Indigenous people themselves,” said Bishop.
The Liberal party is currently under the leadership of Peter Dutton, who’s been actively campaigning against the proposal.
As for whether or not she would publicly campaign for a “yes” vote, Bishop said: “I have just said to the National Press Club my position. That’s about as public as I get these days.”