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Kevin Rudd questions Tony Abbott's intentions on Indigenous recognition Kevin Rudd questions Tony Abbott's intentions on Indigenous recognition
(2 months later)
Kevin Rudd has questioned whether the opposition leader will follow through on his commitment to supporting the recognition of Indigenous people in the constitution, saying the reform needs bipartisan support in order to succeed.Kevin Rudd has questioned whether the opposition leader will follow through on his commitment to supporting the recognition of Indigenous people in the constitution, saying the reform needs bipartisan support in order to succeed.
The prime minister infuriated Tony Abbott on Wednesday morning by effectively questioning his good faith on the recognition issue.The prime minister infuriated Tony Abbott on Wednesday morning by effectively questioning his good faith on the recognition issue.
Rudd was asked on Darwin radio whether his government was delaying putting the substantive question to voters at a referendum. The prime minister said there was “no delay on our part”.Rudd was asked on Darwin radio whether his government was delaying putting the substantive question to voters at a referendum. The prime minister said there was “no delay on our part”.
“The key thing is to achieve bipartisan consensus,” Rudd said. “As I said before, you can take people to a referendum. If one side of politics is going to arc up about it, then we have a problem, and the history of referendums, we’ve only had a handful that have passed since 1901.”“The key thing is to achieve bipartisan consensus,” Rudd said. “As I said before, you can take people to a referendum. If one side of politics is going to arc up about it, then we have a problem, and the history of referendums, we’ve only had a handful that have passed since 1901.”
The prime minister argued questions concerning commitment to the reform, and the timetable for achieving it, were best asked of the opposition leader rather than the government.The prime minister argued questions concerning commitment to the reform, and the timetable for achieving it, were best asked of the opposition leader rather than the government.
“The key thing is to make sure we achieve consensus and so these are questions I daresay which are appropriately addressed to Captain Negative Mr Abbott more generally, and that is whether he is prepared to be positive in bringing forward a rapid conclusion to the content of the question for the recognition of the first Australians,” Rudd said.“The key thing is to make sure we achieve consensus and so these are questions I daresay which are appropriately addressed to Captain Negative Mr Abbott more generally, and that is whether he is prepared to be positive in bringing forward a rapid conclusion to the content of the question for the recognition of the first Australians,” Rudd said.
Rudd’s sharply partisan tone on the issue during his visit to the Northern Territory appears to be a change of political strategy for Labor.Rudd’s sharply partisan tone on the issue during his visit to the Northern Territory appears to be a change of political strategy for Labor.
Abbott has given strong private and public support to the constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians, and has committed the opposition to producing a proposed amendment on the question within 12 months.Abbott has given strong private and public support to the constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians, and has committed the opposition to producing a proposed amendment on the question within 12 months.
Following the prime minister’s media appearances on Wednesday morning, Abbott put out a statement arguing that Rudd was not grasping the details of the recognition debate.Following the prime minister’s media appearances on Wednesday morning, Abbott put out a statement arguing that Rudd was not grasping the details of the recognition debate.
“It was disappointing to hear Mr Rudd's comments this morning that demonstrated that he is unaware of the Coalition's commitment to the constitutional recognition of Indigenous people,” Abbott said in his statement.“It was disappointing to hear Mr Rudd's comments this morning that demonstrated that he is unaware of the Coalition's commitment to the constitutional recognition of Indigenous people,” Abbott said in his statement.
“If Mr Rudd was across the detail he would know that it is Coalition policy, if elected, to release for public consultation a draft constitutional amendment within 12 months of taking office. I hope Mr Rudd can now commit to a similar timetable and put politics aside on this very important issue.”“If Mr Rudd was across the detail he would know that it is Coalition policy, if elected, to release for public consultation a draft constitutional amendment within 12 months of taking office. I hope Mr Rudd can now commit to a similar timetable and put politics aside on this very important issue.”
The Coalition recently offered bipartisan support for another contentious constitutional reform proposal – the recognition of local government – but has subsequently walked that position back due to internal divisions among Liberal and National MPs, and a strong conservative campaign against the proposal.The Coalition recently offered bipartisan support for another contentious constitutional reform proposal – the recognition of local government – but has subsequently walked that position back due to internal divisions among Liberal and National MPs, and a strong conservative campaign against the proposal.
Abbott has argued the government botched the local government issue, making it difficult for the Coalition to support the change.Abbott has argued the government botched the local government issue, making it difficult for the Coalition to support the change.
But despite facing criticism from conservative commentators and from some players on his own side about the issue of recognition of Indigenous Australians, Abbott has shown no sign whatsoever of retreating from his public support for that proposed reform.But despite facing criticism from conservative commentators and from some players on his own side about the issue of recognition of Indigenous Australians, Abbott has shown no sign whatsoever of retreating from his public support for that proposed reform.
Up until Wednesday morning, the substantive and political debate on Indigenous recognition has been solidly bipartisan.Up until Wednesday morning, the substantive and political debate on Indigenous recognition has been solidly bipartisan.
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