Leeser quits frontbench to campaign for Voice

A Pesach lunch 10 years ago led to Julian Leeser first becoming involved in constitutional recognition, he told The AJN this week.

Leeser made political waves on Tuesday when he resigned from the Liberal Party frontbench in order to campaign “Yes” for an Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

Speaking to The AJN, he recalled how he and philosopher Damien Freeman, a fellow Jew with whom he ultimately co-founded the organisation Uphold and Recognise, had been discussing then-prime minister Tony Abbott’s promise to work towards Indigenous recognition in the constitution.

“We wanted to find a way forward that could bring on board constitutional conservatives and Indigenous people and create a better institution for our country. And that’s where all this began,” he said.

Bringing things full circle, Leeser said it was over Pesach this year that he reflected on his position after the party declared its opposition to an enshrined Voice.

“Pesach is all about freedom. And the freedom we have in the Liberal Party is if you’re not a member of the frontbench, you’re free to campaign on an issue, take a position that is contrary to the rest of the party,” he said.

He added his support for the Voice is “very much” a continuation of the history of Jewish and Indigenous Australians supporting one another.

“I speak every year in NAIDOC week about William Cooper … he had so many challenges in his own community, but somehow he found time to stand up for our community and do what’s right,” Leeser said.

“The long history of Jewish people involved in Indigenous issues, whether it’s Mark Leibler or Ron Castan, is a really important one. And I’m proud to carry on that tradition.

“When the history of the Voice is written, his role in its conception will be very clear.”

“We both understand what it is to be a racial minority. We understand what it is to have a very deep connection with land.”

Announcing his resignation as Shadow Minister for Indigenous Affairs and Shadow Attorney-General earlier on Tuesday, Leeser said he will continue to lobby for amendments to the referendum question that he outlined at the National Press Club last week “in order to give the referendum the best chance of success”.

“I will fight for those amendments. But ultimately I will support the referendum,” he said.

“I’m resigning without rancour, but on a point of principle … what I want to be able to say to my children in the future is that your father stood up for something that he believes in.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese tweeted on Tuesday that Leeser “has made a principled decision”.

Labor MP Josh Burns said, “I admire Julian and today I see his courage.”

We may be on different sides of politics, but I know Julian Leeser cares about his colleagues and his party.

His decision would have been very difficult.

I admire Julian and today I see his courage. The Voice is a chance for unity and a better future. #auspol

— Josh Burns (@joshburnsmp) April 11, 2023

Jewish communal leader Mark Leibler, who co-chaired the Referendum Council that led to the Uluru Statement from the Heart, told The AJN, “Kol hakavod. I think the step he [Leeser] took today was critical. It was principled.”

He agreed with Liberal Senator Andrew Bragg that “a yes vote is now much more likely because of Julian’s conviction”.

Leibler praised Leeser for his work on the issue over many years, including co-chairing the Joint Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Recognition.

“The Voice was partly his creation,” he added.

Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-CEO Peter Wertheim said it is rare to find a politician who is prepared to move to the backbench purely on a point of principle.

“Nobody can doubt his sincerity, or his expertise, or the grace he has shown in setting a high standard of debate,” he said.

“I believe that the courageous and principled stand Julian has now taken will be seen as a watershed moment. The government would do well to engage with him seriously about the changes to the referendum wording he has proposed, and to work with him to make an effective ‘Yes’ case to the Australian people.”

I look forward to campaigning for Yes with Julian Leeser at the upcoming referendum.

Mr Leeser’s decision shows that Australians of all political persuasions are coming together to support the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.

— Mark Dreyfus (@MarkDreyfusKCMP) April 11, 2023

Meanwhile, respected Indigenous activist Noel Pearson this week apologised for comments he made after the Coalition announced its opposition to the Voice that drew comparisons with the Holocaust.

The remarks were made in relation to Leeser last month asking the government to clarify which definition of Aboriginality it would use to determine eligibility to serve on the Voice body. It was one of 15 questions Liberal leader Peter Dutton sent to Albanese in February.

“I’m wondering whether Julian expects us to wear a tattoo identifying ourselves as Indigenous?” Pearson had asked. “Or that our clothes should be adorned with some kind of badge identifying us as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander?”

Pearson told The AJN this week, “If any of my friends in the Jewish community were distressed by my choice of words then I’m completely apologetic for that.

“I’ve got many Jewish friends over a long period of time who have supported me and my cause.”

He explained the question was “highly offensive and incendiary” and “resonates with racists about who is Aboriginal and who is not”.

“I was disappointed Julian raised this, he’s the last person I expected.”

But he said, “I’ve got to pay tribute to what Julian has done today.

“When the history of the Voice is written, his role in its conception will be very clear.”