Doorstop interview - West Ryde, Sydney

Transcript
Sydney
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
Prime Minister

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: PM's XIII game this afternoon, women and men, will be a great event and it’s been so extraordinary, watching the welcome that the men and women of the Australian PM's XIII teams have been given in Port Moresby. It shows the enthusiasm that's there for a team from Port Moresby. And I had contact with Mal Meninga, the coach, and Cameron Murray, last night. They are blown away by the positive reception that they've received. And it will be a great thing for PNG, the fact that this game is taking place.

JOURNALIST: There's been some support here this morning for the Voice but there are people who say that they still don’t understand it. What do you have to say about that?

PRIME MINISTER: What I say is, have a look at what the question is, it's very clear. The first part is just recognition, and then it's that there shall be a group, a Voice, which is an advisory committee on matters that affect Indigenous Australians. And something I get great heart from is the decision of Kamahl, a very courageous decision. He's someone who came out and said No, and went away, spoke to people, read what it was about, read the question, and decided that he would come out and declare his support for Yes. And to so say, why would anyone oppose this? So, we have now a new term that we've coined today, Kamahl-mentum, in the last couple of weeks. I would just encourage people to not be focused on what this isn't about, but be focused on what it is about. It is about just recognition, and is about giving people a Voice, over, a say, over their affairs, because then you'll get better outcomes. And with that comes responsibility as well. I note that Noel Pearson has been talking about this for some time, that with a Voice comes responsibility, you'll get greater efficiency, you'll get better outcomes. It's not like there hasn't been enough money given to Indigenous affairs, but with the best of intentions, the dollars haven't gotten to where they've been needed. And you'll get better outcomes and you'll get more efficiency, you'll get better value, when you consult people who are directly affected.