The AFL could possibly be on the verge of backing a ‘sure’ vote within the Indigenous Voice referendum on the eve of the league’s annual Sir Doug Nicholls spherical.
The matter might be on the agenda at Wednesday’s AFL Commission assembly, with the league anticipated to hitch the NRL and the Australian Olympic Committee in supporting the voice to parliament.
On Tuesday, Essendon joined Richmond, Collingwood and West Coast in publicly endorsing the ‘sure’ vote.
“At Essendon, we recognise that sport and football can connect people to have a positive effect in Australian society,” a membership assertion learn.
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have enriched the history of Essendon since Norm McDonald arrived at the club from Belmont in the 1940s.
“We imagine that altering the structure to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice will enrich and profit Australians.”
Outgoing AFL boss Gillon McLachlan hinted an announcement could be made before the opening game of the league’s Indigenous round.
“I do not like to speak to fee conferences, however there is a fee assembly (on Wednesday) and we have Sir Doug Nicholls spherical developing so you may most likely be a part of the dots in regards to the timing on that,” McLachlan stated on Tuesday.
McLachlan hit back at critics, including former Australian prime minister John Howard, who believe sporting bodies should not have a say on social and political issues.
“Generally I feel that we do not search to on points, extra broadly on social points, we do not search to lecture,” he stated.
“We do not wade into each matter, however these which might be related.
“There’s a referendum coming up to our supporter base, to our people who work for the AFL, for people who are members of clubs, people who come to our games, for our playing group, I think it’s important that leadership actually says this is what we stand for. This is what we think.
“I feel that it might be odd for a public organisation that’s thought to be a group organisation, and that truly has hundreds of thousands of members … to not perceive what their management stands for.”
Rugby Australia, Cricket Australia and Netball Australia are but to formalise a public stance, however are persevering with discussions inside their respective organisations.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
