HERITAGE CAMPAIGNER OPPOSES INDUSTRY FUNDING OF 'YES' CAMPAIGN

Raelene Cooper speaks at a UN conference in Geneva in 2022. Credit: Supplied.

The Traditional Custodian who recently overturned Woodside Energy’s seismic blasting permit in the Federal Court has said she will be voting ‘No’ in the Voice to Parliament referendum.

Mardudhunera campaigner Raelene Cooper said the Voice debate has been a distraction from important issues like protection of heritage.

“Looking after country, making sure things are okay, whether it’s having disruptions with government, industry, whatsoever, we have important work to do,” she said.

“It’s been a distraction, definitely.

“To make matters even more worse, and to put salt and vinegar into the wounds and whatever else that’s going to burn, is the fact that industry, the likes of Woodside and these big companies, they’re funding the ‘Yes’ campaign.

“These companies do not care about us. They don’t care about the land they destroy. They don’t care about the surroundings and the animals.”

Woodside is believed to have given around $2 million to the ‘Yes’ campaign.

In April, Woodside CEO Meg O’Neill said the Voice would be a “step forward in Reconciliation”.

Listen to an interview with Ms Cooper: