THE VOICE REFERENDUM:
Former Labor Party minister Gary Johns has been booted off the “no” campaign against a First Nations’ voice to federal parliament following a series of controversial comments.
Leading “no” campaigner Warren Mundine revealed the move on today’s edition of ABC TV’s It’s My Show with David Speers, also often referred to as Insiders.
Speaking between interruptions by Speers, Warren Mundine – himself a former Labor Party identity – confirmed Mr Johns was no longer an official spokesperson for the “no” case.
Murdoch media outlets have been prominent in publishing a number of opinion pieces by Mr Johns and news stories of his anti-voice remarks – described by some in the “yes” campaign as outdated, ignorant, and racist.
In just some of his published comments Mr Johns has:
* called for blood tests to prove a person’s Aboriginality before being approved for any welfare payments
* claimed that many people in indigenous communities lived in a “stupor”
* recommended that indigenous people “learn English” to help them advance in Australian society
* said most indigenous people were “grateful” for the “gift” that was white settlement of the Australian continent
* said Aboriginal people were often no longer as identifiable as they once were and were now “just not that exotic”
* claimed welcome to country messages at major events were “doing harm” and were a “form of intimidation”.
Mr Mundine said he had sat down with Mr Johns “over a cup of tea” and discussed the opinions he had expressed and agreed he would no longer speak as part of the “no” campaign.
When contacted in Brisbane by The Bug, Mr Johns (main picture) was unrepentant.
“It’s wrong to say my remarks were racist, or that I’m a racist,” he said.
“Warren has a certain view about my comments and he has expressed that to me and I’ve accepted his position.”
When asked, Mr Johns expanded on the conversation he had with Mr Mundine.
“It did happen over a cup of tea. It was very subdued and matter-of-fact conversation.
“Warren quietly ran through the list of my comments that he believed might be causing problems for the ‘no’ campaign.
“He explained how he had always wanted a range of people and groups involved in the ‘no’ case with each participant having a clear message.
“Then he picked up the hot teapot and said very politely: ‘If you don’t shut the fuck up I’ll ram this up your arse sideways.’
“I saw the situation from his point of view and agreed then and there to his decision that I would not to be involved in the ‘no’ case going forward.
“I can see Warren’s main point – if an ex-Labor bloke like me is out there peddling ill-informed, patronising, and borderline and not-so-borderline racist comments, then what’s left for the National Party MPs to say?”
Want to be alerted immediately a new blog hits Australia’s longest running and most offensive satire site? Simply click on the Follow sign or the link below to be emailed new yarns the moment they are uploaded! The very second we go far too far – and trust us we will – you can then quickly unfollow via the three dots!
The Bug Online 