Ray Martin arrives at the "Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues" Australian premiere at The Entertainment Quarter in Sydney, Australia on Nov. 24, 2013. Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images
Iconic Australian television journalist Ray Martin has delivered a withering criticism at supporters of the “No” campaign against changing Australia’s Constitution.
His comments made in Sydney’s inner-west last week, were directed at a key argument for the “No” campaign, which says if voters are unsure of the details around the proposed Indigenous Voice to Parliament, then vote No.
According to footage that has emerged in recent days, Mr. Martin said: “If you ‘don’t know,’ find out what you don’t know. What that excellent slogan is saying is that if you are a dinosaur or a [expletive] who can’t be bothered reading, then vote No.”
“The words of the referendum could not be simpler than they are.”
Mr. Martin went on to scrutinise the No campaign’s line of attack that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has not provided details on what The Voice will mean for the Australian public.
“The No vote organisers also keep asking Albo for the details, what about the details? At this stage of the game, the details simply don’t matter,” said the journalist of over 40 years, who also has Aboriginal lineage.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese later described his speech as “powerful” in a media press conference the next day, but did not reference Mr. Martin’s contentious comments.
“Last night in Marrickville at the Factory Theatre, we had the Inner West Yes campaign launch with the great Ray Martin,” Mr. Albanese told ABC radio the day after.
“It was great to be interviewed on stage, myself and Rachel Perkins, by Ray Martin, who gave a very powerful speech as well. So, it’s through activities like that, talking with people in the suburbs, in the regional towns, in remote communities who are voting as we’re speaking, and it is having those conversations that will make a difference.”
Mr. Martin, 78, has won five gold logies for his television work at the Nine Network including long stints at The Midday Show and A Current Affair.
One Nation Senator Pauline Hanson, who shared footage of the speech on social media, claimed “Yes supporters have been exposed again insulting No voters.”
“Is it any wonder so many Aussies are voting No to this Voice of division?”
The Voice referendum is asking Australians to change the Constitution on Oct. 14. Early voting has already started at polling stations throughout the country.
Meanwhile, federal Opposition leader Peter Dutton has called the comments disappointing, during an interview on 6PR radio in Perth.
“I think Ray owes millions of Australians and apology because I don’t think it reflects the reality of people’s views on the ground.
“I think there are a lot of Australians who are voting No because they don’t have the detail, and that’s been a deliberate strategy of the prime minister’s campaign, not to give the detail to Australians ...”
Australian Opposition Leader Peter Dutton speaks to media during a press conference in Brisbane, Australia, on May 15, 2023. AAP Image/Jono Searle
Monica O’Shea
Author
Monica O’Shea is a reporter based in Australia. She previously worked as a reporter for Motley Fool Australia, Daily Mail Australia, and Fairfax Regional Media.
‘Dinosaurs’: Ray Martin Delivers Withering Criticism At No Campaign
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Iconic Australian television journalist Ray Martin has delivered a withering criticism at supporters of the “No” campaign against changing Australia’s Constitution.
His comments made in Sydney’s inner-west last week, were directed at a key argument for the “No” campaign, which says if voters are unsure of the details around the proposed Indigenous Voice to Parliament, then vote No.
According to footage that has emerged in recent days, Mr. Martin said: “If you ‘don’t know,’ find out what you don’t know. What that excellent slogan is saying is that if you are a dinosaur or a [expletive] who can’t be bothered reading, then vote No.”
“The words of the referendum could not be simpler than they are.”
Mr. Martin went on to scrutinise the No campaign’s line of attack that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has not provided details on what The Voice will mean for the Australian public.
“The No vote organisers also keep asking Albo for the details, what about the details? At this stage of the game, the details simply don’t matter,” said the journalist of over 40 years, who also has Aboriginal lineage.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese later described his speech as “powerful” in a media press conference the next day, but did not reference Mr. Martin’s contentious comments.
“Last night in Marrickville at the Factory Theatre, we had the Inner West Yes campaign launch with the great Ray Martin,” Mr. Albanese told ABC radio the day after.
“It was great to be interviewed on stage, myself and Rachel Perkins, by Ray Martin, who gave a very powerful speech as well. So, it’s through activities like that, talking with people in the suburbs, in the regional towns, in remote communities who are voting as we’re speaking, and it is having those conversations that will make a difference.”
Mr. Martin, 78, has won five gold logies for his television work at the Nine Network including long stints at The Midday Show and A Current Affair.
One Nation Senator Pauline Hanson, who shared footage of the speech on social media, claimed “Yes supporters have been exposed again insulting No voters.”
“Is it any wonder so many Aussies are voting No to this Voice of division?”
The Voice referendum is asking Australians to change the Constitution on Oct. 14. Early voting has already started at polling stations throughout the country.
“I think Ray owes millions of Australians and apology because I don’t think it reflects the reality of people’s views on the ground.
“I think there are a lot of Australians who are voting No because they don’t have the detail, and that’s been a deliberate strategy of the prime minister’s campaign, not to give the detail to Australians ...”
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