The conservative media’s endless attacks on the Labor government and the Voice to Parliament
In recent weeks, the political landscape in Australia has remained relatively stable, with opinion polls showing little deviation from their long-standing trends. However, this has not deterred the conservative media from launching relentless attacks on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Labor government, suggesting that its honeymoon period has come to a close and that it is facing mounting challenges.
Despite consistent poll numbers, certain voices in the mainstream media have painted a bleak picture for the Prime Minister and Labor and, regardless of the statistical evidence, the cheer squad and supporters in the conservative media are determined to promote the notion that the Liberal Party in opposition is somehow flourishing, while the Labor government is faltering.
Opinion polls, while showing slight variations over the previous six months, have actually been leaning favourably towards the Labor government, with the Resolve poll showing a two-party preferred vote of 58.5 per cent for Labor, and 41.5 per cent for the Liberal and National parties – hardly the sign of a “massive blow” for the Labor government.
Additionally, the recent federal byelection in Queensland seat of Fadden also suggests a lack of significant change in public sentiment. Nonetheless, the conservative media remains unswayed, continuously bolstering the image of a thriving Liberal Party headed by an unflappable leader, Peter Dutton.
Critics have questioned the media’s persistence – News Corporation, Seven West Media, Nine Media and, increasingly, the ABC – in presenting a skewed narrative, essentially operating as propaganda outlets for conservative politics. The perception of biased reporting has led to renewed calls for a Royal Commission into the media in Australia, with proponents of an inquiry demanding a fair and unbiased source of information in the mainstream media.
While some figures in the conservative media such as Herald Sun opinion writer Andrew Bolt are predicting Albanese’s potential overthrow – without any evidence to support this outcome – it is important to remember former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was removed by Caucus in 2010, even though he was in a strong electoral position and very few people suspected such a move could occur. However, the circumstances today for Albanese differ significantly from those for Rudd in the past.
It is evident that public opinion is susceptible to media influence, and concerns have been raised over potential conflicts of interest within certain media circles. Calls for greater transparency and unbiased reporting continue, with the ultimate goal of a media landscape that presents the facts fairly and separates opinion from objective information.
For now, the stable polls suggest that the Labor government continues to hold its ground, while the conservative media’s fervent anti-Labor narrative seems quite divorced from political realities.
A negative fear-driven campaign of division contributing to decreased support for the Voice to Parliament
As Australia moves closer to the crucial referendum on the Voice to Parliament, the latest Newspoll opinion poll indicates a decline in support, with figures showing a decrease to 43 per cent in favour and 49 per cent against the proposal. While some critics question the reliability of Newspoll figures, it is apparent that across various polls, support for the Voice to Parliament has been falling. The trajectory of public sentiment appears to resemble that of the Republic referendum in 1999, where initial enthusiasm waned as the debate raged on.
At the time, the Republic referendum faced a similar fate, with divisions within the campaign and a vacuum of leadership that was filled gleefully by the “no” campaigners. The ongoing negative campaign by figures such as Dutton has seemingly taken its toll, combined in a lack of political control over the narrative on the part of the proponents of the Voice to Parliament, most notably, the Prime Minister.
Albanese’s recent call for the “yes” campaign to “step up” has raised concern, as though he was distancing himself from the initiative, with some belief that his comments are a sign that he might not want to bear the brunt of any potential failure if the referendum does not succeed.
There are also comparisons that can be drawn between Albanese’s 2022 election night commitment to the Voice to Parliament and former Prime Minister John Howard during his 1998 election victory speech, where he pledged to achieve Reconciliation with Indigenous Australians by 2001, only for Howard to never mention this again, and then actively campaign against Indigenous interests. To be sure, while the pledges by Albanese and Howard respectively may have had similar sentiments on their respective election night victory speeches, it’s unfair to suggest Albanese has left the Voice to Parliament behind to squander, in the same way Howard left Reconciliation behind.
Albanese has actively advocated for the Voice to Parliament, prepared legislation for the referendum, and publicly committed to holding it. However, critics contend that more decisive action and an unwavering commitment are required to secure the necessary public support.
The heated debate surrounding the referendum has led to the release of information pamphlets from both sides. However, there is no requirement by the Australian Electoral Commission for the published material to be factual or truthful, leading to a web of fabrication in many of the “no” campaign’s arguments.
Veteran journalist Kerry O’Brien highlighted one such example, where the “no” campaign claims that the Voice to Parliament “won't help Indigenous Australians”, arguing that it is unreasonable to make such definitive statements, as the potential benefits of the Voice to Parliament are rooted in providing policymakers with greater access to the wisdom and perspectives of grassroots Indigenous communities.
Challenges exist, yet there is optimism for the Voice to Parliament referendum
The tactics employed by Warren Mundine and the “no” campaign – especially targeting those religious groups who opposed the same-sex marriage plebiscite in 2017 – is politically motivated and divisive and suggestive that not only are these groups homophobic, but they are fundamentally racist as well.
Drawing parallels with the litany of broken promises throughout Australia’s history – King George’s edict to Captain Arthur Phillip in 1787 for the British to enter into “peaceful negotiations” with Indigenous people, only for them to be massacred and have their land stolen from them; a promise of equal rights, only for these to never be granted; former Prime Minister Bob Hawke’s 1988 promise for a Treaty; Howard’s promise for Reconciliation by 2001– so many promises, yet none achieved – skepticism remains among some members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, who have been disappointed in the past by unfulfilled commitments.
Despite the challenges and negative campaigning, there remains optimism among proponents of the Voice to Parliament. Some observers believe that a change in Liberal Party leadership, with a new leader publicly supporting the “yes” vote, could potentially sway the outcome in favour of the referendum. However, the path to success is not without obstacles, as the issue remains contentious – by those in public life who want the Voice to Parliament to be contentious and are creating as much division as possible – and winning over those who have reservations about the referendum will require significant effort.
The struggle to achieve true Reconciliation
The struggle to achieve Reconciliation and progress for Indigenous Australians has been a long and arduous journey. Past promises of treaties and Reconciliation have yet to materialise, fueling skepticism and caution. The current proposal for the Voice to Parliament represents an opportunity for a step forward, even though some argue that starting small and building momentum may be the more pragmatic approach.
Despite the challenges and the uncertain road ahead, there remains hope that Australians will ultimately make the right decision when it comes to the referendum. While some fear a potential loss through lack of effort or divisive campaigning, others are optimistic that the Australian public will see the value in this initiative, embracing the opportunity to move towards a more inclusive and equitable society.
As the referendum approaches, the Australian public faces a critical decision. The fate of the Voice to Parliament initiative hangs in the balance, with both proponents and opponents making their cases. With the stakes high and the potential for positive change significant, Australians will be tasked with navigating through the sea of information and rhetoric to make an informed decision that aligns with the values and future they envision for their nation. The coming months will reveal whether history will repeat itself and continue with its long list of broken promises or whether this time, the nation will embrace the opportunity for progress and Reconciliation.
The significance of this referendum cannot be understated. The eyes of the nation are on this historic moment, waiting to see if the call for change and recognition will be answered with a resounding “yes”.