Albanese and Dutton exchanged barbs on Thursday.Credit:Alex Ellinghausen
Dutton’s assault on the referendum capped a week of fierce parliamentary brawling over the Voice on the eve ofthe influential Garma festival,which Albanese plans to use to reboot the battling referendum campaign.
The Yes movement on Friday launches its biggest advertising push yet to counter the opposition leader’s narrative about an elitist “Canberra Voice”.
The online advertisements also seek to convince Australians that the Indigenous community backs the referendum,a task that internal Yes campaign research shows is being held back largely by thecampaigning of Coalition senator Jacinta Price.
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Yes campaign sources said a substantial number of voters did not realise Price was a politician,highlighting Labor’s difficult task fighting a powerful Indigenous figure.
“When a prime minister makes a deliberate decision to harm our national interest,I will tell you who is watching:the entire Australian public,” Dutton said,demanding Albanese apologise to Australians and give a clear answer on the full extent of his reconciliation agenda. “The PM is seeking to divide his nation.”
The prime minister highlighted his opponent’sboycotting of the apology to the stolen generations as he returned fire.