The NRL’s decision to support the Indigenous Voice to Parliament joins what will be a growing chorus of sporting organisations weighing in on this year’s referendum.
Certainly, the common rhetoric of “keep politics out of sport” will be thrown from sporting diehards across the country. While all opinions are valid and everyone is entitled to their view, it is imperative that fans understand that politics is inherently fixed in sporting codes.
On the surface, it seems that political infiltration is cautionary and in some forms, dangerous. However, sports history informs us that political intervention was inevitable.
First, in the early 19th to mid 20th century, sport was essentially a working-class tradition – insofar as football’s classification as ‘the people’s game’. Indeed, sport found itself deeply ingrained in working-class roots, to the extent that clubs were often owned by working-class organisations or collaboratively confined to working-class leisure.
Fast forward to the present, commercialisation and neoliberalism has essentially transformed sport into a wash of corporate identity, conservative roots and ruling-class power. Club owners have the ability to assemble top playing rosters through so called third-party deals – look no further than Nick Politis’ Roosters as an example.
While LGBTQI jerseys and flags are indicative of political association in sporting events, corporate washing in sport is the offspring of ruling-class elites with significant political clout.
Under these circumstances, sport is a mechanism to conform to conservative values. But it is also a way of expressing social values, equality and opportunity as its historical past informs. Therefore, sport is a theatre to political ideology.
Undoubtedly, separation between politics and sport would be ideal for some, but with clubs at the behest of CEOs, finances and sponsorships, separating the two is impossible.
Of course, athletes are not immune from political association.
One must only refer to Muhammad Ali’s refusal of US military indoctrination, and subsequent dispossession of his world heavyweight title, to understand the political weight of professional sports.
One must only refer to the sight of African American NFL players taking a knee to recognise sports tribalism is, in some capacity, compatible with social expression. And, therefore, inseparable from the political spotlight.
All examples are valid forms of political assertion in sport.
From a fan’s perspective, would we enjoy the bitter rivalries shared between working-class western Sydney and ruling class east without class identity politics? Sports tribalism and subsequent fan engagement is the foundation of embellishing rivalries that steal the headlines and dominate the weekly pub talk.
Without political association, rivalries would have no teeth, nor would they be symbolic of historical dynamism capable of attracting fans far and wide.
For that matter, the political theatre and historical dynamism between South Sydney Rabbitohs and Sydney Roosters clashes are central to the excitement when the two sides collide.
Cody Walker celebrates with Latrell Mitchell, Keaon Koloamatangi and Lachlan Ilias. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
In both a historical and contemporary context, sport has always identified with forms of political identity – be it working-class representation, corporate prosperity or social expression.
The NRL has every right to recognise political and social responsibility. In this case, supporting the Indigenous Voice to Parliament is fundamental to respecting its Indigenous council and playing cohort.
“Recognition and listening. That’s how we can make a practical difference and move Australia forward for everyone,” Minister for Indigenous Australians, Linda Burney, wrote on social media.
“True change comes through listening, learning and taking action – and we encourage everyone in the rugby league community to get informed by the facts, and use their voice, so that we can move forward together.”
If athletes are willing to express social equality in sport, if clubs are willing to align with CEOs and corporations covered with political influence, then sporting codes across Australia are obligated to support motions that affect their constituents. In this case, the Voic will be crucial to the prosperity and opportunities of Indigenous athletes right around the country.
Whether we like it or not, sport is the endowment of politics. From its class identity, to tribalist sentiment, sport will always be the embodiment of political association.
The NRL’s support behind the Voice is crucial to its diverse community and constitutes. But the combination of politics and sport is the lifeblood behind tribalism, crowd enthusiasm and, most importantly, giving sport a legitimate identity. The Anzac, Indigenous and multicultural rounds are proven examples of tribalism and politics joining for the common good.
Without the relationship between politics and sport, the roar of the crowd would not be so loud.
Cam
Roar Rookie
I can’t tell you which way to vote, but I feel it is terrible leadership that Albo has placed the country in a position where we will need to vote on something that could simply have been legislated as a trial of sorts. And we don’t have to look too far back in history to see how the failed 1999 referendum mirrors the 2023 iteration. Back then, the chance to alter the Constitution with an insert in the form of a preamble which would formally recognise the First Nations people and their contribution to Australia was in part derailed by a popular slogan from the NO campaigners “If you don’t know, vote NO!”, and 60% of Australians did just that. My gut feeling is this will run a similar course and the end result will be a country further divided down racial lines.
Cam
Roar Rookie
Nah not for me, sport should be an escape from the persecutions of race, religion and politics and it leaves an unpleasant taste in my mouth when I see boards trying and shove their ideology onto fans. I can appreciate the NRL running Indigenous Round, as an organisation they are proudly celebrating the aboriginal culture, but it is a step too far when they side with a politically driven referendum such as what is unfolding this year. It is a slippery slope and it isn't a stretch of the imagination to then see the NRL endorsing candidates at a national election because the board believe their man is politically/morally in line with the NRL. Maybe then we start to see NRL Labour Party Round, or NRL Restrict Immigration Round. I don't like it.
astro
Roar Rookie
Very fair response, DP. I think all your questions are valid ones. My POV is that I think the Voice is something we need in order to make progress, but lets agree to disagree and leave the political chat alone, as you say.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
bodies like the Voice don’t already exist Okay, I'll grant you that, but does it need to? What I'm saying is that there are organisations that can do what you're looking for, unless you are actually looking for more than you should? Hence the concern. What are you wanting to achieve that can't be done by existing organisations. Now there is the worry. What could this legislation be used for that per.verts its original purpose? When governments - such as this one and this legislation - are really scratchy on the explanations, silence and shut out debate and alternative views, then it needs to be treated with utmost caution and skepticism. Especially - and I'm referring to the time this legislative topic has debate time - when it is being pushed through without proper perusal and commentary. ANd with respect, I'm done with political commentary on a sports blog. you have your views and me mine.
Poss
Roar Rookie
Don't worry Matth if it doesn't get voted in Albanese will do that anyway..He won't let it go..
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Or the government of the day can use the opportunity to overreach. Happens to often when something like this comes in. While usually based on genuine aims and principals always ends up ab.us.ed.
Poss
Roar Rookie
Oh nooo I hope not Big Daddy!!!!!
Poss
Roar Rookie
There are lawyers concerned Astro that it will clog up the courts & why isn't Albanese telling the whole story of how it's going to affect Australia?
astro
Roar Rookie
ATSIC is the biggest example (started by Hawke and ended by Howard)...but just about every other Indigenous advisory body set up by a government, has been scrapped at some stage. Now, I'm not going to argue the strengths and weaknesses of ATSIC, or any other body, but the fact is Indigenous Australians have been left without any elected representation which can advocate on their behalf at the national level and influence Indigenous policies, since ATSIC was dissolved. By enshrining the Voice in the constitution, it wont be able to be abolished just because any one government doesn't want it there...It is trying to protect the Indigenous voice at a federal level.
Dumbo
Roar Rookie
Astro, would it be churlish to ask for some examples of initiatives that have been created by one federal party and scrapped by another ?
Boomshanka
Roar Rookie
The NRL is an organisation that has been created to run a competition and to make commercial decisions in that respect. As an organisation that was created, not voted for, it should not assume to represent any political, religious or social issues. Whether the Voice vote is agreed to or not, it is irrelevant. Unless the NRL accepts voting input from players or fans, it should keep in it's lane and run the competition to it's best ability.
ScouseinOz
Roar Rookie
I don't know the ins and outs of the voice but I think the NRL have a right to state an opinion and then leave it at that. People are free to vote how they want. Rugby league has had alot of indigenous australian players since 1908. The best part is that compared to most sports rugby league hasn't cared about your background or where you are from - Albert Rosenfeld, Gus Risman, Billy Boston, Tom Van Vollenhoven, Clive Sullivan, Ted Goodwin, Artie Beetson etc - if you are a good player then that's enough for the fans and clubs. I remember as a kid going on about Clive Sullivan captaining Britain in 1972 as a black Welshman as if Rugby League deserved the credit. It didn't- Clive did. He was a great player and loved by his teammates. There's a great BBC doc that came out last year. The nice part was that it was that which mattered. Professional sport isn't a charity. Just be open minded enough to pick the best person for a role. The weirdest take this week was the Brumbies stating that they wear indigenous patterns on their shirts as if that meant anything. I hate that type of thing. Don't get me started on the Wallabies singing the national anthem in an indigenous language without a single indigenous player. That was pointless!! Give communities heroes and something to aspire to.
Jack Russell
Roar Guru
The government already has the power to establish such an organisation. One wonders why they haven't done so if it's going to have such a seismic change.
Cugel
Roar Rookie
The reason you'd vote no is so when a conservative government reclaims power they can more easily undo any benefits that may have accrued to the "wrong people" i.e not like them. When it's in the constitution, that's more difficult.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
my dream is that we can close the gap and see Indigenous Australians not be the most incarcerated people on the planet, by proportion A noble sentiment, but the 'Voice' isn't going to change that, unless you are hoping for overreach. And if incarceration is a worry for you then there are other methods and avenues for dealing with that. Victorian Bar said that Dan's Pandemic emperor laws and open to abuse and yet their advice was certainly ignored by government in that instance so it's questionable how much one should rely on the commentary of the legal fraternity. If passed it will be exploited and abused and used poorly in overreach and in situations it was never meant to. Do something else.
matth
Roar Guru
So the government of the day can’t just legislate them away
matth
Roar Guru
No it doesn’t, it has no voting or veto rights on legislation or executive decisions. The power it will hold will basically be to make its thoughts public, which could cause political problems for the ruling party of the day
Birdy
Roar Rookie
The RL has more info than I have. Albo keeps saying, in between his tears, that more info will come out as the vote gets closer. The most disturbing thing I've heard is that the Australian voice will be close to the NZ and Canadian models, gulp. I'm a long way from making up my mind. It's a crazy mixed up world we live in at the moment .
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
Make DNA based representations to the Parliament and the Executive Government. Why does it need to be written into the constitution?
astro
Roar Rookie
"That's your dream", Yep, my dream is that we can close the gap and see Indigenous Australians not be the most incarcerated people on the planet, by proportion. "Reality says it opens the door for overreach, if it didn’t, they wouldn’t need it." The Law Council of Australia says the Voice is just and legally sound and should be passed in its current form. I'll take their expertise over your opinion. Look, I'm not going to argue that the Voice is some miracle cure for the issues facing Indigenous Australians, or will prove an overnight success. But its clear that what we've tried to do in the past has failed miserably, and if this has both practical and symbolic benefits, and if independent research shows 80 per cent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people support the Voice, I'm on board.