Pat Conaghan (Cowper, National Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—I've previously spoken in this place on the Constitution Alteration (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice) 2023, and my views are very well known, if you paid attention to the media this morning. I do want to talk about the Constitution because in the Constitution there is a section that talks about the separation of powers between the judiciary, the parliament and also law enforcement. It's been a long-held principle that that separation of powers should be adhered to. I would not contemplate telling a police officer how to do his job, nor would I consider in any way telling a magistrate, judge or justice how to do his or her job, or criticising a decision made, whether in sentencing or delivering a judgement to a jury. These principles are important, as is respect—respect for each other and respect for one's personal opinion.

The debate on the Voice to Parliament, in my view, is lacking respect. You have one vote. I have one vote. Every Australian has one vote. It is yours to make. I will not criticise you for your opinion. But when those on the 'yes' side criticise those who choose to say no, it simply demonstrates the reason why those who choose to say no will not stand up publicly—because they are labelled racist, disgraceful or paternalistic. So I urge those people, I urge people on both sides, to show respect to one another.

I will not walk back from my speech. I am proud of what I have said and I am proud more so of what I have done in this place. I support every member of my community and I support every First Nations person and every First Nations people. This is not a question about whether we should recognise them in the Constitution. They should be in the preamble, and I have said that all along. This is about a voice to parliament. Let's not conflate the two issues.

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