'Potential rewards outweigh potential risks': NSW Liberal leader backs Voice to parliament - 9News

NSW Liberal leader Mark Speakman says he will personally vote in favour of enshrining a Voice to parliament in the Constitution after his concerns about it being an "impediment to flexible and timely decision making" were eased.

His decision contradicts federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton but the silk, who served as the state's attorney-general for six years, believes the "potential rewards outweigh the potential risks".

"We live in a great country but our poor and often disastrous outcomes for Indigenous Australians are our nation's greatest public policy failure," Speakman said.

Mark Speakman says he will personally vote in favour of enshrining a Voice to parliament in the Constitution. (Sydney Morning Herald)

"They face huge gaps in, among other things, life expectancy, health, education, jobs, housing, child protection, criminal victimisation, and incarceration.

"There are no guarantees but, other things being equal, working in closer partnership with Indigenous Australians – and elevating it by embedding it in the Constitution – offers a better chance of 'Closing the Gap'."

He said recent polling suggested it was unlikely to succeed and advised the government to make two reforms below.

"To amend the Constitutional Alteration to put two separate questions, the first on the matter of constitutional recognition and the second on the establishment of the Voice.

"To release draft legislation on the Voice, including detailing its proposed composition, functions, structure, powers and procedure."

Prime Minister Anthony Albanes speaks on the Voice to parliament in Arnhem Land. (9News)

He said he would not play an active role in the referendum or advise people on how to vote as "the Australian Constitution belongs to all Australians, not just politicians".

The NSW opposition is not enforcing a mandatory position on its MPs.

It comes as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasised his commitment to convincing Australians to vote Yes at last weekend's Garma Festival in Arnhem Land.

"We can get this done together and we can get this done now, this year. Because if not ask, who? And if not now, when?" he said.

Recent polling has showed support for the Yes vote continuing to slip into the minority.

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2023-08-11 21:21:15Z
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