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Gogglebox stars reveal how they're voting in Voice referendum
The reality stars surprised viewers when they revealed how they'll be voting on Saturday.
While households on Gogglebox Australia are known for sharing their hilarious commentary on some of the country’s most popular TV shows, it’s not often that the cast members reveal their political opinions on the series.
However, Thursday night’s episode saw them tune into The Point: Referendum Road Trip on SBS where they each revealed how they feel about the Voice to Parliament referendum and whether they plan on voting ‘yes’ or ‘no’ on Saturday, October 14.
Jared, Mia, Kevin and Bob
The group of four friends, who are the first Indigenous family to appear on the Australian series, were divided over the referendum.
Kevin, a Wakka Wakka and South Sea Islander man, revealed that he was voting ‘no’ and his biggest issue with the Voice to Parliament was that “it lacks the ability for nuanced conversations”.
“I think we need more than just an advisory committee,” he said. “For me, and I know a lot of blackfellas are worried that it’s a toothless tiger.
“How many royal commissions have we had over the years, black deaths in custody, removal of black children from families? And those recommendations haven’t all been implemented. We’ve had a voice, they haven’t been listening.”
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On the other hand, Jared, a Kalkadoon, Undumbi and South Sea Islander man, proudly announced how he would be voting by wearing a ‘yes’ T-shirt.
“It’s not going to make a big difference to my life, I don’t think it’ll make a big difference to anyone’s life,” he said. “I’m voting yes because I have a fear of what a conservative ‘no’ vote win will mean.”
Kerry and Izzy
Kerry, who also wore a colourful ‘VOTE YES’ T-shirt on the show, said the Voice to Parliament referendum is “very simple”.
“It’s about recognition, listening, and better results,” she said.
“Is it actually going to create change?” Izzy asked, to which her mum replied, “Well this is what the Voice hopefully will create because right up until now, nothing else has worked”.
Symon and Adam
Symon appeared to agree with Kerry, explaining: “It’s an advisory group, it will provide advice from the people who are affected by the decisions to the parliament to have them make laws that then affect them.”
“In my heart, it is the right thing to do to vote ‘yes’,” Adam added.
Milo and Nic
Nic said he “completely agrees” with the comments Rachel Perkins made on The Point about needing to change the fact that 30 per cent of Indigenous people live under the poverty line.
However, he doesn’t think the idea of having an independent advisory body for First Nations people to Parliament has been “hashed out enough” to put it in the constitution.
“I think at this stage, I haven’t been shown enough evidence of what I’m voting for to vote ‘yes’,” he said.
Milo also admitted he was unsure of how he would be voting, saying: “I don’t know where I sit.”
Leanne and Tim
Tim proudly wore an ‘I’m voting YES’ badge on his chest as he watched The Point and discussed the referendum with his housemate Leanne.
“This is one of the most important referendums of our lives,” he said. “We actually have the power to make change.”
He also shared his thoughts on the difference between the ‘yes’ and ‘no’ campaigns, saying: “‘Yes’ is trying to fight for the rights of the people, ‘no’ is using fear as a method to convince people to vote ‘no’.”
Keith and Lee
Keith and Lee both questioned how the Voice to Parliament referendum would actually “be better” for the Indigenous population.
“If all the aboriginals want this referendum, they’re all together and say, ‘Okay, yes’, it must be a pretty good thing. But they’re all divided and they’re arguing against each other, so there’s something wrong with it,” Keith argued.
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Anastasia also wondered if there was some sort of “hidden agenda” behind the ‘yes’ campaign.
Meanwhile, Millie Dalton, who is one of the youngest cast members on the show, pointed out that “the constitution is 120 years old, it’s going to need updating at points in time”.
You can learn more about the Voice to Parliament referendum here.
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