As the campaign for the Voice referendum begins, it's worth having a look at why this referendum question has become so hopelessly ensnarled in undergrowth. And perhaps doing a spot of weeding, writes Annabel Crabb.
Already, however, the public debate around those 102 words has grown like an invasive weed, generating ill-will and dispute over issues that are far removed from the question at hand.the Uluru Statement? Are you sick of having acknowledgements of country "shoved down your throat"? Should Australia Day be changed? Is it racist to vote No?When people say they're "confused", it's not because they're stupid.
There's the Opposition's argument that the Voice is a dangerously radical proposition that would gum up the works of government and the courts. And then there's Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe's argument that the Voice should be opposed because it's utterly toothless. No wonder there's confusion. As the campaign begins, it's worth having a look at why this referendum question has become so hopelessly ensnarled in undergrowth. And perhaps doing a spot of weeding.This is a contested referendum. There's a Yes campaign and a No campaign. We know that Australians do not rush into changing our constitution. So the first, most obvious and most powerful tactic for maximising the chances of a No vote is to muddy the water.
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