Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

HANSON-YOUNG () (): Last night the 'yes' campaign released their uplifting and powerful ad, celebrating Indigenous achievement and excellence. The ad compares and captures the landmark moments of progress as a united, intelligent, empathetic, modern Australia: when we voted yes in the 1967 referendum; when we cheered yes for Cathy Freeman at the Sydney Olympics; when the High Court said yes to Eddie Mabo; when we said yes, we are sorry, to the stolen generations. These were uniting moments and ones that we are proud of as a nation.

But what do we have from the side opposite? What does Peter Dutton appeal to? Does he really appeal to the best of us? He says, 'If you don't know, vote no.' He is appealing to ignorance and to fear. He speaks of division and he talks down to the Australian people. And, rather than debating the merits, he platforms mistruths, lies and conspiracy theories. This isn't just post-truth; this is pre-enlightenment. Where would Peter Dutton have been in these key moments? Would he have voted yes in the 1967 referendum? No. Would he have cheered for Cathy Freeman? Probably not. Did he support the apology? No, he didn't. Did he stand with Eddie Mabo? No, he didn't. I wonder where he would have been when people were campaigning to give women the right to vote. Let's face it, he would have been on the wrong side of that one, too. Every time Australia has moved forward, Peter Dutton has said 'no'. He has been on the wrong side every single time. (Time expired)