The former prime minister has weighed in on the Voice to Parliament debate.
Noel Pearson says Mr Abbott suggested allocating separate Senate seats for Indigenous Australians.As prime minister in 2014, Mr Abbott declared that he was prepared to "sweat blood" for the recognition of Indigenous Australians in the constitution. He insisted that remained his position, but drew a distinction between altering the constitution's preamble and introducing an advisory body.
But appearing before the same committee soon after Mr Abbott, Indigenous activist and lawyer Noel Pearson claimed a "former prime minister" had taken a much less "modest" approach in 2015. "He says: 'Mate, I think setting aside special Senate seats would be an easier idea to get up'," Mr Pearson recounted.“I said the Voice is a much more straightforward idea. It is more modest ... It's a simple idea, but it's a potentially profound and powerful idea that will enhance our bureaucracy."New polling shows the Voice is on track for success.
But Mr Abbott repeated concerns it could spark a wave of litigation in the High Court, a fear played down by Solicitor-General Stephen Donaghue and multiple constitutional experts.
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