WA Nationals withdraw support for Indigenous Voice
The WA Nationals have withdrawn their support for the Indigenous Voice to Parliament following the party's State conference in Perth. The regional party has also resolved to run candidates in selected metropolitan districts in the 2025 State Election amid ongoing discussions over forming a Coalition with the Liberals.
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TVTranscript
00:00 After nearly an hour of debate, the state national leader emerges with a resolution.
00:10 The party won't support the voice to parliament.
00:13 "There was a respectful decision, but certainly not unanimous view."
00:18 The decision at odds with the former state party leader Mia Davies, the only national
00:23 MP to break ranks and back the voice.
00:25 "I'm not judgemental or disappointed in those that have reached a different conclusion.
00:30 All that I ask is that people take the time to inform themselves about what it is that
00:36 they will be voting for individually."
00:38 Mr Love denied the backflip was politically motivated, but added he's not confident a
00:43 Labor government would deliver better outcomes to First Nations people.
00:47 "What was at question was whether or not Labor's referendum proposal and the trust
00:53 in Labor to be able to deliver any meaningful change through it.
00:58 Little wonder given the concerns that West Australians have seen over the Aboriginal
01:03 cultural heritage legislation and the way that that was handled."
01:07 The nationals are also not relying on the chance the state Liberals want to form a coalition
01:12 at the next election, resolving to run city-based candidates in the lower house.
01:17 "We have to keep all of our options on the table because at the moment there is no agreement."
01:22 The country party insists those options will not move their focus away from the regions.
01:27 [BLANK_AUDIO]