An Indigenous senator has clashed along with her Nationals colleague in a heated alternate over feedback made by a outstanding Indigenous chief in regards to the No camp utilizing “stupid” and “racist” ways.
Reports emerged on Tuesday Marcia Langton informed a discussion board on Sunday: “every time the No cases raise their arguments, if you start pulling it apart you get down to base racism – I’m sorry to say that’s where it lands – or sheer stupidity”.
The feedback triggered a media storm with a number of shops suggesting she was attacking No voters as “stupid and racist”.
Nationals Senator Matt Canavan lashed out on Tuesday and accused the educational of “petty-calling”, saying Australians “were sick and tired of being called racist”.
“It’s been happening quite a bit during this debate,” he stated.
“Whatever Marcia’s particular explanations here I don’t think we need to resort to this kind of language. Let’s just attack the arguments. I mean, I just haven’t seen, seen Marcia come out and say, ‘exactly what are you talking about? What are the issues?’ rather than use labels to deny somebody.”
Assistant Indigenous Australians Minister Malarndirri McCarthy stated Professor Langton was an impressive Australian, and that she had spoken on the National Press Club intimately in regards to the subject.
“I think it also points out just one of the things that she did raise at the Press Club, was also the responsibility of journalism and we have seen certainly a questionable have seen certainly questionable articles, front pages, all those things,” she stated.
“Australian’s, I’m sure if they did listen to her would have heard, put simply, the Voice to Parliament has always been about an advisory committee. Those grabs that are taken of her speeches, I think, are selective.”
“I would say to advocates as I have said all along on both the No and Yes sides there must always be respectful debate”
Senator McCarthy stated she remained optimistic and that individuals would have their say on October 14.
Professor Marcia Langton has denied calling No voters “racist and stupid” after studies about her remarks set off a heated debate in federal parliament this week.
The Yes campaigner informed The Sydney Morning Herald on Tuesday she was labelling claims made by No voters as being silly, not the voters themselves.
“The media reporting is a very deliberate tactic to make me look like a racist when I’m not. I am not a racist, and I don’t believe that the majority of Australians are racist,” she stated. “I do believe that the No campaigners are using racist tactics.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
