Stalled Voice would be ‘devastating’

A FAILURE to progress the Voice to Parliament would be “devastating”, Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young says, despite facing a split within the minor party.

The Greens will meet this week to firm up a position on the referendum amid pushback from Indigenous spokeswoman Lidia Thorpe, who suggested she would vote no unless it addressed First Nations sovereignty.

Speaking with ABC Radio, Senator Hanson-Young said she was thankful for her colleague’s contribution but disagreed with the best way forward.

“I want to make sure we can bring as many supporters together as possible to ensure we get this progress. It would be devastating if we didn’t get progress on all three (elements of the Uluru Statement of the Heart),” she said.

“Lidia has been upfront with her view and I’m thankful for that. She’s a big supporter of making sure we progress these things as well.

“There’s different views across the broader community, across the First Nations community, but we’re all committed to making sure we have progress.

“I don’t want this held up because we can’t get to a good place of working together.”

Asked if Senator Thorpe could continue to hold her portfolio if she were to support a “no” campaign, the South Australian said it was an issue for leader Adam Bandt.

On Monday, doubters of the Voice to Parliament launched their official “no” campaign.

Spokesman Warren Mundine said they were pushing for a preamble to the constitution to recognise Indigenous Australians and migrants.

Mr Mundine refused to say who was funding the “no” campaign amid concerns people would be “bullied” if they came forward.