Dunkley ‘white privilege’ row

Jade Gailberger,
Federal politics reporter, Herald Sun

Labor's candidate for Dunkley, Jodie Belyea, has been urged to explain comments about the Voice referendum campaign after saying the "worst of white privilege" had been on display.

Almost 56 per cent of voters in Dunkley did not support establishing an Indigenous Voice to Parliament at last year's referendum.

In comments on a LinkedIn post, Yes advocate Ms Belyea wrote: "I feel so many heavy emotions because of the display of what I can only describe as the worst of white privilege in this country."

Leading No campaigner and NT senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price said it was “an absurd smear on people who voted No, and especially a smear on those who voted No in Dunkley”.

“The Prime Minister foisted a divisive Voice referendum on the people of Dunkley,” Senator Price said.

“Does the Prime Minister stand by his hand-picked candidate for Dunkley’s comments on the Voice? And will the Labor candidate clarify her statement?”

In response, Ms Belyea said: “I respect the decision of the Australian people at the referendum last year. Australia is the best country on Earth, and we’ll move forward together.”

The Australian Electoral Commission is urging Dunkley voters to plan their vote for the March 2 by-election. Three early voting centres open on Monday.

 – Herald Sun, February 19, 2024