Paul Kelly Hits Back At No Campaign And Jacinta Nanpijimpa Price

Paul Kelly has responded to alleged misinformation and a targeted attack from Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price in a new post on social media, confirming to his followers that the Yes23 campaign has not paid him for his support.

Earlier this month, Senator Price tweeted, “Paul Kelly’s first ever song that lacks soul and creativity. Wonder how much was he paid to sing the PM Albanese’s talking points?” after he released his song for Yes, If Not Now.

That comment must have made its way back to the Dumb Things singer, who wrote on Facebook yesterday (24 September), “To all those who say I am being funded by the Yes campaign; and to those, including Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, who have questioned my integrity, the facts are: I have not been paid by any person, organisation or government to express their views. My views are my own.”

Kelly continued to write that what’s on his mind often enters his songs. “And writing songs is my job. I have studied and worked hard at it for nearly fifty years. If I am elite, it is only because I've had chances from a very early age that many Indigenous people have never had.

“I am not telling anyone how to vote but simply letting people know my thoughts. I have hopes for this country, my children and my grandchildren, as many of you do.”

Kelly added that he respects opposing points of view in the Aboriginal Voice To Parliament referendum and hopes for the same respect in return. “I believe that we who disagree with each other are much closer than we think.

“We all want the same thing. A country we can be proud of, where everybody has equal opportunities to lead a rich and fulfilling life. To me, saying Yes is our best chance yet to start making this happen. Thank you. PK”.

In his statement on why he’s voting Yes in August, Kelly wrote, “This country is my home. This beautiful country, unique in all the world. Our First Australians looked after it and shaped it for over 60,000 years and, in doing so, developed a rich and complex culture that is a gift to us all.”

If the referendum is successful, The Voice will be an independent and permanent advisory body led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who will advise the Australian Parliament and Governments on issues that directly face their communities. The Voice body will be chosen by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, with the wishes of their communities represented.