The former Minister for Indigenous Australians and the current Minister for Indigenous Australians stood in solidarity with the Voice in Boorloo (Perth) today.
Former Minister Ken Wyatt and current Aboriginal Affairs Minister Linda Burney stood together to discuss the importance of Western Australia in the upcoming Voice to Parliament referendum.
It comes a week after former Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ken Wyatt quit the Liberal Party due to the party's stance on the Voice.
Yesterday, Shadow Attorney-General and Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians Julian Lesser also quit the Liberal frontbench because the party's "no" stance on the Voice.
On Wednesday afternoon, Wyatt said he hopes other Liberal Party members will vote yes.
"What we should do is allow my former colleagues to work through their issues and make their own decisions," he said.
"And, I think Peter Dutton will give them the conscience vote and they will then express the way they want to vote.
"But I do hope many more come across."
Mr Wyatt declined to comment on decision to quit the Liberal Party, instead saying discussing the Voice is more important.
A conscience vote is a type of vote in a legislative body where individuals are allowed to vote according to their own personal conscience rather than according to an official policy set by their party.
Minister Burney said WA could make a large difference in the Voice referendum.
"Someone said to me earlier today the west knows best," she said.
"And I have faith in the goodness of Western Australian people that they will vote yes for constitutional recognition.
"I know local campaigns are kicking off at the grassroots level with conversations starting about the Voice, why it matters and how it will make a difference here in Western Australia.
"That is so very, very important that people take time to get informed which is why we are here today."
Minister Burney also spoke about Mr Leeser's recent resignation and his desire for the government to change the wording around the referendum and amendment.
"The prime minister has made it very clear that he is open to federal suggestions and other suggestions," she said.
"But the wording hasn't come out of thin air.
"The three amendments to the constitution have been worked through for years and years and years, months and months and months and weeks and weeks and weeks, and the government has taken direction from Aboriginal and Torres Trait people across this country.
"My door will always be open to Julian."
In closing, Minister Burney said agreed with the sentiment from the Uluru Dialogue: this is a movement beyond politics.
"I think people will vote the way they feel they should vote, and we respect that," she said.
"But it is my experience and clear understanding that no matter who you are in this country, you know the plight of Aboriginal people is not right and we put that in front of the people."
