The right-wing of the West Australian Liberals is planning to move a motion at the party’s state conference to “oppose any changes to the Australian Constitution with respect to the recognition of Indigenous Australians.”
The split within the party has come as the party’s right wing seeks to pressure federal MP’s to back the ‘no’ case in the event of a referendum.
Former WA Liberal leader Bill Hassell says he backs the motion, and invoked the threat of terrorism as a reason to oppose recognition, saying there is a need to “develop our national identity as one people.”
In 1992, as President of the West Australian Liberals, Hassell described the Mabo court case as having the “potential to destroy our society”
First Nation’s Liberal MP Ken Wyatt has called the motion “deeply disappointing” and is urging party members to reconsider their motion.
WA Premier Colin Barnett says he does not support the motion but is happy for the debate to continue.
