Television personality Osher Gunsberg has taken a swipe at Liberal leader Peter Dutton during a tense exchange over the Voice referendum on ABC’s Q+A.
The panel, which included singer Anthony Callea and LGBTQ advocate Todd Fernando, were asked what the future was for Aboriginal activism following the vote.
Liberal party women’s advocate Charlotte Mortlock said that after a “divisive year there is work to do to … really unite”, before the Bachelor host interjected.
Mr Gunsberg questioned the former SkyNews host on whether the opposition leader was really committed to “uniting the country” following the referendum,
“Do you truly believe that? Do you truly believe that Dutton wants to unite us? Hand on your heart,” Mr Günsberg asked, before Ms Mortlock responded “yes”.
The TV host went on to add: “I just care about the why. Why do you believe he wants to? If you tell me the why, I will believe you, but I don’t believe he really wants to.”
Ms Mortlock replied she “absolutely believed” Mr Dutton and Indigenous Australians spokeswoman Jacinta Nampijinpa Price wanted a united Australia, but with different methods.
In response, Mr Fernando, a Kalarievman, questioned what more Aboriginal people needed to do after three decades “to show Australia around what we wanted”.
“I think most of us on the panel are doing well, are doing fine, but the one community who actually needed support, actually needed a Voice,” Mr Fernando said.
Australians overwhelmingly rejected a referendum to enshrine an Indigenous Voice in the Constitution, with all six states voting against the proposal at the referendum on October 14.