Modern Australian

As the anniversary of the Voice vote nears, the high costs of Albanese’s misjudgement are clear

  • Written by Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra

This time a year ago, we were on the cusp of the October 14 Voice referendum. Most players were already aware it was doomed. Less understood was just how far-reaching would be the impact of what, in retrospect, was a massive miscalculation by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

In his maiden speech in 1996, Albanese declared multiculturalism and...