The Chaser Report - One Year Since The Voice Referendum | Senator Briggs

Episode Date: October 13, 2024

As today marks one year since Australia voted against enshrining an Indigenous Voice To Parliament in the constitution, we remember the time that Senator Briggs spoke to Dom and Charles about what the Voice was actually about. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Chaser Report is recorded on Gadigal Land. Striving for mediocrity in a world of excellence, this is The Chaser Report. Hello and welcome to The Chaser Report with Charles and Dom. My name is producer Loughlin and today is a very special day because it is October 14th. That is one year on from the failed voice to Parliament referendum. Not that this is inherently a sad anniversary of course because one year on, Parliament will be getting an Australian voice. That's some good news from this week. It's not the one that Senator Briggs talked to Charles and Dom about when we had him on the podcast before the referendum happened,

but it's still an Australian voice, so that's a good start, right? Right? Right. Regardless to talk about what the voice could have been, Charles and Dom did get to sit down with the incredible Senator Briggs, who during the campaign did a hilarious sketch with Freudian Nip, Vic and Jenner, who were friends of the show, and pointed out that one of the things that people who are unsure of the referendum should do is Google it. So here's the chat that Senator Briggs had with Charles and Dom right after this. Thank you for your patience. Your call is important. Can't take being on hold anymore. Fizz is a hundred,

100% online, so you can make the switch in minutes. Mobile plans start at $15 a month. Certain conditions apply. Details at fizz.ca. Yeah, what's going on? Hi, it's Charles and Dom. Thank you so much for joining us. What's happening?

Well, you've basically set the world alight with that video you made with our friends, Vic and Jenna. What's the reaction been like from your perspective? I think it's resonated with people because that's the conversations that people are having. you know and I think that's been like the feedback to me like oh my god I had that

conversation you know with my mom or I had that conversation with my friends at the pub or you know what I mean so it struck a nerve because it's the truth you must have driven a lot of traffic to Google I should give you shares or something I'll get anything out of them just like some facts would be nice but maybe they'll do like one of those little Google you know doodle drawings or whatever and commemorate the video one of the things that was so beautiful about the video was just how patient you were. So what about the voice doesn't make sense?

Like, just, you know, what would be far enough? What are your thoughts? I've heard that it could divide the nation. How? Okay, so I have read something online about just the nature of democracy in general. Yes, because it's patronising to indigenous people. And I would hate to patronise an indigenous person.

It doesn't go far enough, but then it also goes too far. Yes. Because democracy. Have you Googled it? It just made me think this has been the whole process for you and so many First Nations people of just having to explain again and again and again and somehow not lose your shit. How do you do that? How do you remain so patient and calm?

That's a testament to my acting ability. It's great. You're putting everything into it. Yeah, I don't hang that kind of patience in your life. And is it true that there actually, there wasn't any script? It was just Vic and Jenna actually being themselves. I think the original truth to that. No, you know, it's been a pretty testing client for a lot of Blackfathers.

The weight of expectation and information and education has been put on Blackfellers once again, you know, like to do the heavy listening. And I think, like, that's one of the most frustrating things about, you know, yes versus no is the birth. of, you know, explanation and to divulge detail is placed on the yes, where it's no is just, nah, you know, there's no, there's no outcome, there's no explanation, there's nothing, there's no vehicle, there's no mechanism that they provide to be like, no, we want to do it this way. It's just no. It does feel ironic, doesn't it, that it's come to so many yes campaigners, and particularly, as you say, First Nations people, to explain in great detail

using their voices, why their voices and explanation should be listened to at all. Irony is never lost on me. It's fun. You know, there's so much misinformation out there. It got so complicated. Like, that's why I reached out to mass to make something because I was like, we just need to debunk the comment section, you know, so people can stop spouting that it's a sci-up conspiracy and a UN land grab. Yeah. What, are you saying the United Nations isn't going to run Australia if yes, wins? Are you sure?

Because I heard something on the internet. They couldn't happen fast enough if you asked me. It's just bonkers. Like, how can, like, how do you get there? Like, how do you get to that point, you know, of your thinking that that makes sense? The United Nations track record are organising anything is not great, let alone a massive land crab for the whole of Australia. Yeah, and so also, like, the 3% of Australia is holding off the UN, you know what I mean?

It's like our 3% of this quote-unquote sovereignty is the only thing stopping the UNs and taking over Australia. I mean, it's really a big tribute to Indigenous Australians that you've managed to hold off the UN for so long. Yeah, it was like me, Eddie Betts, you know, Jonathan the Thurston, we're all on the front line in holding back the UN. Thank you for your service. One of the things you said, Briggs, that resonated with me most, was when you talked about living in no and how that's been the reality for you for your whole life. Can you tell us what that looks like? Give us a sense of what no means and what's on the table here from your perspective, given the life you've led and the way you felt about growing up in Australia

and trying to get your voice heard. You know, Australia, I see a lot of comments from councillors and members of parliament and low-level bottom-feeding politician journeymen and, you know, career uni students who were talking about how I'm Greek or I'm a town. I come to Australia and we built a life and it's like, yeah, mate, you built it on grades. Like that's where you built your life. And the other thing is you have Italy, you have Greece, you have a country to look to that is your sovereignty, that is your nation.

It's like you're on our nation right now. They can't comprehend that. And like, no, for me, it's like, like, I grew up in country Victoria in Shepardon. It's a one nation national stronghold. you know, it is no country for old men in Shepardin. Like, that is where I grew up. And so we're always, like, Aboriginal people have always given on the fringe of that town. When the Kamra gunger walk off happened, you know, we walked from Kamara to Marutna to the outskirts of Sheperden

and it's where we stayed, you know, like even myself, like, I'm a big shot now, you know what I mean? Yeah, I do all these things, you know, but they still struggle, like the town still struggles to recognize, you know, how they benefit from the presence of people like myself and my community that brings so much wealth and so much culture to the town. And like, that's what I mean when I grew up in no. It's like because my whole life I was told no, you know, act like us, be like us, you know, like from my early days in school to trying to get a job and whatnot. It's like, I just grew up in this deficit. And when you mentioned bringing culture to the town and the value that you and your mob add, the Now and Forever Festival, this event you just put together.

What a massive undertaking. I mean, you've been one of the busiest people involved in this whole thing. You've given this to your all. What was the festival like? It was amazing, man. All the work that myself and my production team, especially my lead, Steve and Christy, Christy Walker and Steve Smith, like these guys who took the ethos that I presented and held it down from birth to execution, you know, because.

That was the main thing that I wanted to get across. This is not a political rally. This is like I'm showing you what yes looks like, what solidarity looks like, what working together and unity looks like. It wasn't my vision. It was our, it was our vision, our collective vision. Everyone who signed up to play on the day is someone that I admire and someone that I leased out to myself personally.

Everyone who's on the bill I spoke to personally about being part. And, you know, more people wanted to be part, but, you know, convincing the time means only, you know, we can only get the gods who we got. But I feel like it was the best example of the kind of country that I want to see. Yeah, it really felt like a moment of positivity amongst some very tough months for everyone on the yes side of this. I think as well, it's like no, no is easy. No is, it's like it's a little bit scary, it's a little bit cool, it's contrarian,

it's fun to tell the government no, you know what I mean? But it's like, you're not telling the government no. You're talking to black followers. Black followers ask for this. This isn't Labor's voice. This is meant to be enshrined in the Constitution, so it lives beyond this current government. You know what I mean?

So, you know, the positivity of what they want to bring is what people engage with. I feel like people like to look and share, you know, the no and that kind of, the funny kind of contrarian outlet. But they truly engage, people truly engage, better with positivity. And you can see that in the turnouts of between no and yes rally. Like, it is no-had, Kamal and Angry Anderson, you know, and respect to them.

But that's a shit show. And Lyle Shilton now. Lyle Shilton's on board to lecture people like you about equality. Thank you for your patience. Your call is important to... Can't take being on hold anymore. FIS is 100% online, so you can make the switch in minutes. Mobile plans start at $15 a month.

Certain conditions apply. Details at fizz.ca. The Chaser Report, now with extra whispers. But also my son, who's 15, is on the TikTok all the time. And he just says, no, just floods every single comment, even if it's nothing to do with the voice. There's just all these sort of people going, no, no, no, no. And he said it's so clearly just some sort of organised campaign.

It's not, you're right, there's nothing joyous or organic. The idea that it's like some kind of, you know, the idea that the yes is funded by big dogs and it's like this commercial and the no is the underdog, they position it really well. Like, true to them, like, their TikToks have been great. Like, they've done it really well. I can't front. Like, I admire some marketing, you know what I mean? Well, I must say when I, because the first time I saw your video was, was on the TikTok,

at first I thought, oh, is this some sort of clever no campaign? Like, it got me in on it being a no thing. And then it was like, oh, fucking, thank God there's finally a good TikTok. It's a year. Briggs hasn't changed side to the last minute. Well, yeah, I was wondering what the hell's going, what the hell's going on? So, yeah. No, it was very, I mean, it really did.

I think it's, it's pivoted the campaign. Like, it's a real, you and Nathan Cleary, that's it. It's in the bag tomorrow, right? We do actually need you. One more comeback, you know what I mean? One more comeback from Nathan Cleary. But like, the leadership, you know, the leadership that young man's shown, you know, is just, it's paramount. Like, that is the kind of, you know, leadership.

And, like, people are like, what's a celebrity know? and what's a sportsman know, you know, like, what do they know about this? And it's like, man, it's just about sparking that idea that there is more to talk about, you know, for the undecided. Like, I'm not out here trying to convert hard nodes. It's about the people who are undecided and, like, the big ocean in the middle who are like,

do Aboriginal people even want this, you know? And like, just because of the amount of misinformation, you know, and like no is out there, Warren and dissin of those goofballs. and out there saying, yes, is divisive, no brings the country together. And it's like, but they don't tell you how. Well, isn't no bringing treaty? As soon as no happens, isn't treaty coming next, according to Warren, a mundane?

Warren, Warren's a dummy, you know what I mean? He just says, he just says whatever works on the day. He can't, he can't think on his feet. He's just a goofball, man. He's just, like, he's soft. And, like, it's just embarrassing to watch him go around the way he does when he's just flipping and flopping and saying, you know, if the, yes, does give up. I wouldn't consider a spot on the voice.

It's like, no shit, because you're a political parasite. You're just looking for another host, you're grom. I'm sure Kamal is interested in being part of the voice. If it does get up, I don't know how he will, but... Or not. Or yes. Kamal thinks it's a seat that spins around. One of the things, I guess it's been lost in all of this debate about processes and

mechanisms and so on is, is what the voice is for, is the things that the voice would represent about. and what we'd get to hear that we don't hear now. And so in closing, it'd be great to get your perspective on what the voice would say. What are the perspectives you want Australia to hear that we're not hearing right now? Well, like, a lot of the conversations I see, like, people are saying, like, oh, the voice won't even be able to change Australia Day. The voice doesn't want to change Australia Day. So what's the point of it?

And it's like, man, fuck Australia Day. Like, Australia Day is going to change community by community, like how it is at the moment. That's not important. The voice should be talking about how to allocate the funding that's been misused over the years. The indigenous-led, indigenous-owned programs that in return create infrastructure and employment and enterprise to close these gaps, to close these gaps on health, to close these gaps on education, to close the gaps on justice, to bring it to some kind of parity to work towards that. The voice is meant to be there to help direct the government on how to implement what's

happening, you know, in these communities. That's what it's set up to do. And it's not a magic one. Like, if the voice gets up, if yes gets up on the 14th, it's not going to be fixed by the 15th or 16. It's a generational change. Like, what we're asking for here is to understand and work towards an outcome that benefits all of Australia. The other thing is, like, this is also about our identity.

presented to the world. We're a global citizen. We're a part of the planet, believe it or not. And it's like, what kind of message do you want to send to the rest of the world about what we are here and what our national identity is? A lot of the things Australians hang their hats on, Anzac days and whatnot, is British. We're little Britain over here. Like, until we embrace indigenous people and, you know, the oldest living, continual civilization on the face of the earth, we're not going to have a real identity. We're going to continue to be Little Britain. As someone with British heritage, I've got to say,

I don't know that there's much there to celebrate. Scons are about all we've contributed at this point, isn't it? And we can all enjoy a scone. I'll be beside myself if scones weren't a part of our future after the referendum. But if you vote yes, aren't you voting no to scones? Like, won't they eliminate scons? That's the scare campaign that's really hooked me. And does the voice want the cream or the jam on top?

That's what I want to know. Look, it's been a very tough campaign. It's been a very emotional campaign. I can't even imagine what it's like for you and other First Nations advocates who've stuck your head in the middle of this and taken so many shots from everybody. You couldn't have done more, honestly, by the looks of things. And incredible that you've found time to talk to us, and we're very grateful.

Thank you so much, man. It's like, as I said, it feels like I've done about a year's work. in four weeks, you know, and like, but I guess it's, it's what was called. I just seen what needs to be done and just did what I did, and I appreciate everyone's work and big and small and everyone's doing their part in their way. I don't tell anyone to do what I do because it's, you know, detrimental to your health, but everyone out there doing their thing, having these conversations. One thing I will say about this, it's like it's brought out a really ugly argument in

Australia and it's really revealed who we are as a nation. The other side of that is the good people that have come through, the good people I've talked to, the good people that have shown up and given their everything are really, really fucking good. They're really good. So, like, if there's anything to take away from that, then, like, one Zinni Barnes is worth 100,000 Bronx. Look, when the UN comes rolling in, can you put in a good word for us?

Yeah, I'll talk to Commander Thurston, and I'll see what I can meet here, guys. Thanks so much, mate. My roads. Our gear is from Road. We're part of the iconoclast network. Have fun voting tomorrow and vote yes. We'll have a wrap-up episode after whatever happens, happens. Thank you for your patience.

Your call is important. Can't take being on hold anymore. FIS is 100% online so you can make the switch in minutes. Mobile plans start at $15 a month. Certain conditions apply. Details at fizz.com.