John Smith wrote on Dec 17^th, 2022 at 7:01pm:


About what?

Gnads wrote on Dec 17^th, 2022 at 6:42pm:


Noel Pearson made that statement (highlighted) in his 3rd Boyer Lecture.

He believes you can have both a voice and a Job Guarantee (a white man concept...)

Boris wrote on Dec 18^th, 2022 at 1:41pm:


I would be interested in an example of an "appalling attack on JP" from Noel Pearson.

Of course, seeing statements/attacks through your ideological lens  will colour the statement, but nevertheless if you can supply an example, that would be good. 

Indigenous leader Noel Pearson has accused Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price of being trapped in a “redneck celebrity vortex” and being used by right-wing think tanks to “punch down on other black fellas”.

Northern Territory Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, a Warlpiri/Celtic woman from Alice Springs, told reporters in Canberra on Monday that “we have to stop dividing this nation on the lines of race”.

But in a stunning attack on the Nationals and the emerging star power of the Alice Springs based senator, Mr Pearson has compared her rising profile to that of Pauline Hanson.

“She’s caught in a vortex that reminds me of Pauline Hanson 26 years ago,’’ he told ABC radio.

There’s something tragic about the tirade unleashed by Noel Pearson on Tuesday.

Faced with a formidable opponent in the debate about whether there should be a constitutionally entrenched Indigenous “Voice” to parliament, he resorted to name-calling and scathing attacks against Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price.

There was little engagement with the substance of the proposal, nor the risk it presents by dividing the rights of Australian citizens so that some races have more rights than others. There was no attempt to comfort those Australians concerned that it would empower judicial activism, nor any explanation of how it might be expected to practically improve the living standards or life outcomes of Indigenous Australians.

Instead, he suggested Senator Price was being manipulated to “punch down on other blacks”. Comparing her to Pauline Hanson and suggesting she is in a “tragic redneck celebrity vortex” undermines the significance of her bravery. It’s proof of the courage it takes to speak up against the power of those at the top of the lobby for the Indigenous industry.

I can hardly think of a more insulting way to describe this smart, capable, Aboriginal woman, who has spoken and acted with consistency and sincerity on this important issue (and many others) since well before she became a senator.

Yet Pearson constructed the Nationals’ view as “completely inconsistent with the history of the National Party members’ respectful engagement with the idea of a voice”. Implicit in his conclusion is the view that one cannot be respectful unless they ultimately agree with him. In truth, the most respectful thing an elected representative can do is engage with the community they represent, consider the views of lobbyists like Pearson, listen to the membership of the party to which they belong, and then, considering that research, make the best policy decision of which their conscience and intellect is capable.

That’s precisely what the Nationals appear to have done. It’s exactly what we ask our democratically elected representatives to do.

And it’s nothing short of petulant to frame that as disrespect.

It’s no exaggeration to describe Pearson as one of the architects of the Voice, and one of the leaders who could be expected to set its tone.

If slurs are the way he deals with the careful, considered disagreement of politicians with his policy views, then that should be all the warning we need of the kind of conduct we could expect from the Voice he is so keen to entrench in this nation’s democratic blueprint.

Indeed, Pearson’s tirade illuminates so much of what is wrong with the policy approach that underpins the Voice.

Boris wrote on Dec 18^th, 2022 at 2:07pm:




How dare she speak out against racism. John Smith will not be happy.

thegreatdivide wrote on Dec 18^th, 2022 at 1:32pm:



No misunderstanding, pal.

Your whole triun brain wheeze as an explanation for political philosophy is profoundly ignorant and idiotic, your examples are accordingly stupid -  the crocodile doesn't have a concept of liberty (really??) - the whole lot is just mushy, confused bollocks with bells on.

Why persist with discussion of 'closing any gaps' when the real issue here is whether or not a small group sould have more rights etc enshrined in the Constitution than everyone else - when they already have the same rights and voice and then some...

This isn't about closing any gaps - everyone agrees it will do nothing of the kind and will do nothing to resolve the very real issues of violence etc.

Go - stand up in front of a mob of them and tell them why you reject the voice proposal... I'll call the ambulance for you ...

I received threats of violence over the Australian flag on Australia Day... that's how they operate - as if they are some kind of sacred species above the law and thus always in trouble ...

freediver wrote on Dec 18^th, 2022 at 2:20pm:


Is that how you hide from having to respond fd