Constitutional Lawyer Greg Craven Accuses No Campaign of Misleading Voters

Expert Furious Over Inclusion of Comments in Official No Material

Concerns Raised Over Voice's Power to Advise Executive

Constitutional lawyer Greg Craven has expressed outrage after his comments criticizing the Indigenous Voice to Parliament model were included in official No campaign material without his consent.

Craven, who has provided legal advice to the Albanese government on the referendum, accused the No campaign of deliberately misleading voters.

"It is deeply misleading and dishonest to suggest that my comments are representative of the legal consensus on the Voice," Craven said.

Craven's main concern with the proposed Voice model is its potential to advise the executive government on a range of policy issues. He believes this could undermine the separation of powers between the legislature and executive.

"The Voice is not simply a symbolic body," Craven said. "It would have real and significant power to influence government decision-making."

The No campaign has defended its use of Craven's comments, arguing that they are a legitimate contribution to the public debate.

"We have a responsibility to present all sides of the argument, including those from respected legal experts," a No campaign spokesperson said.

However, Craven has accused the No campaign of cherry-picking his comments and taking them out of context.

"They have selectively quoted me in a way that completely distorts my views," Craven said.

The Indigenous Voice to Parliament is a proposed constitutional amendment that would establish a permanent Indigenous advisory body to the Australian government.

The referendum on the Voice is scheduled to be held later this year.