Olympic athlete-turned-doctor Jana Pittman reveals why she’s having second thoughts about voting Yes to the Voice: ‘I’m struggling with this decision’
- Jana Pittman says she finds the Voice ‘confusing’
- The star Olympian appeared on the ABC’s Q&A
Jana Pittman has revealed she’s confused about how to vote in the Voice to Parliament referendum.
The Olympic athlete who recently became a doctor made the admission during an appearance on the ABC’s Q&A program Monday night.
The panel, which also included MamaMia editor Jessie Stephens, Labor MP Gordon Reid, Liberal MP Aaron Violi and Gratton Institute CEO Danielle Wood, spoke about the Voice after a question was raised about how people could ‘resent’ the notion of the proposal.
Pittman, 40, said she is struggling with the discourse surrounding the debate and the unclear messaging from the Yes campaign.
‘We always say as medical professionals we speak to people at a year 8 level. I have found this incredibly confusing,’ she said.
Jana Pittman has revealed she is confused about how to vote in the Voice to Parliament referendum (Pictured after winning the women’s 400 metre Hurdles final at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne)
‘We were waiting in the green room beforehand and Gordon was explaining very beautifully what the constitution is.
‘I am doing my PhD, and if I don’t understand the entire concepts behind the Yes and the No, how on earth am I going to vote correctly to make sure my people our safe, all people – Aboriginal people and every culture that beautifully diversifies Australia.
‘So I don’t know what to do in this situation.’
QandA host Patricia Karvelas asked if Pittman was undecided with her vote.
The former athlete responded by saying she thinks she’s a ‘very strong yes’ but after hearing from other panel members she now believes the Voice wasn’t what she ‘thought it was’.
‘It’s a confusing message,’ she said.
‘I am well versed and read in this space and more so about the constitution with Gordon.
‘I feel like it’s hard to make the decisions on behalf of people that I am not speaking for.’
![Anthony Albanese (pictured) will announce the official date for the referendum on Wednesday. It is widely expected to be held on October 14.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/28/15/74797723-12453277-image-a-105_1693232474108.jpg)
Anthony Albanese (pictured) will announce the official date for the referendum on Wednesday. It is widely expected to be held on October 14.
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/28/15/74798671-12453277-image-a-3_1693234112055.jpg)
After months of speculation, the date for the referendum will be officially announced on Wednesday when the Prime Minister visits Adelaide after leaving WA.
It is widely expected to be held on Saturday, October 14, giving the government and the Yes campaign just over six weeks to turn around polling figures which have been falling for months.
In one recent poll, Victoria was the only state that backed a Yes vote. For the referendum to pass it has to get a majority of the national vote and also win at least four of the six states.
Nationally, the No side is leading with 47 per cent, with the Yes side on 43 per cent, while 10 per cent of people have still not made up their mind.
Mr Albanese said once the date is announced, people will have a closer look at the referendum question and what it will mean for Indigenous Australians.
He believes people will then see that it’s ‘a very clear proposition’ to recognise that Australia had a rich history long before white settlement.
But in a clear sign the Prime Minister is listening to voters who say the Voice is not their main concern in difficult economic times, he stressed that the Government is helping with cheaper medicines and childcare and a welfare increase.
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