Australia’s Aboriginal Minister on Wednesday accused supporters of the “No” campaign in the forthcoming referendum on indigenous rights of spreading misinformation and “importing Trump-style politics”.
Linda Burney told reporters in Canberra that her goal was “to sow division in our society by making false statements.”
Referring to former US President Donald Trump’s policies, Ms Burney urged voters to “don’t let this campaign in Australia employ Trump-style politics – don’t let it divide us”.
The main opposition-backed campaign group, Fair Australia, responded to Burney’s comments, calling them an “arrogant attack on ordinary Australians”.
Australia’s Senate gave the green light in mid-June to organize a historic referendum aimed at giving Aboriginal people a ‘vote’ in parliament, a project that is dividing the country.
Passed by 52 votes to 19, this bill will allow Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to set a date for the referendum to amend the Constitution soon.
Mr Albanese’s government believes Australians have an opportunity to right centuries of injustice against Aboriginal people and give them a voice in decision-making.
If passed, Australian Aborigines, whose ancestors have lived on the continent for at least 60,000 years, will be recognized in the constitution for the first time and have the right to be consulted by the government on the impact of legislation on their communities.
The center-left government backed the move, but polls show the campaign for a yes referendum is losing ground.
For their part, opponents of the project claim that the referendum is “dangerous” and will lead to “divisions”. Conservative leader of the opposition Peter Dutton reiterated that this project could “change our entire system of government”.
This view is hotly contested, but online claims by “no” advocates have turned into utter misinformation.
“No” activists have taken to social media to claim Australians could have their private land taken away if the “Yes” vote wins, a claim dismissed by AFP fact-checking this week.
Others claimed that a “yes” victory could mean paying reparations or creating a “black parliament.”