Linda Burney says Indigenous voice not about ‘culture wars’ such as abolishing Australia Day

Minister says referendum is about addressing life expectancy in Aboriginal communities in emotional plea for voters to support voice

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Linda Burney says the Indigenous voice will not bother itself with “culture wars” like abolishing Australia Day as she launched an impassioned plea for voters to support the referendum as a way to address poor health outcomes and life expectancy in Aboriginal communities.

The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, branded the Coalition “sad” for targeting Burney for a second straight day in question time, as the Indigenous Australians minister stressed parliament would still have the final say over any issue the voice decided to make representations on.