Should the Australian Government use former NBA player Shaq O'Neal to promote the Indigenous Voice to Parliament?
Introduction to the media issue
Video clip at right: On August 27, 2022, the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, gave a press conference in which he introduced Shaq O'Neal and explained the role he and his government intended sporting celebrities to have in helping to extend awareness of the Indigenous Voice to Parliament. Mr Albanese and Indigenous Minister Linda Burney went on to explain what the Voice is intended to achieve.What they said...
'I make no apologies for saying I'll engage with anyone, anywhere, anytime about these issues and anything we can do to raise the profile of this issue is a good thing'
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
'Mr O'Neal, aka Shaq, knows as much about Australian current affairs and its body politic as my pet budgie'
Courier Mail columnist Mike O'Connor
The Issue at a Glance
On August 27, 2022, the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, and the Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Linda Burney, held a press conference also attended by former NBA champion Shaquille O'Neal.
Before O'Neal\s arrival, the Prime Minister explained that O'Neal had offered his services to help promote the Indigenous Voice to Parliament. After O'Neal's brief appearance, the Prime Minister explained the importance of raising awareness of the Voice among the Australian electorate before a referendum could be held.
O'Neal's involvement in the issue has met with a varied response. Some commentators, especially critics of the Voice proposal, have condemned the United States celebrity's planned promotions as trivialising and insulting. Others have seen it as a valuable way of increasing public connection with the issue.
