Collingwood captain Darcy Moore reveals how he’ll be voting in the Voice to Parliament referendum and blasts critics who tell stars to ‘shut up and play sport’

Darcy Moore has revealed which way he will be voting in Saturday’s Voice to Parliament referendum, insisting that it was ‘pretty straightforward’ to come to his decision.

The Collingwood captain also hit out at those who believe athletes should just ‘shut up and play sport’.

The Voice Referendum aims to recognise Indigenous Australians in the constitution, creating an advisory body to get their input on policies.

According the Anthony Albanese’s Government, a Yes vote would acknowledge heritage, promote inclusivity, address disparities and foster reconciliation.

Speaking on ABC’s Radio National Breakfast, Moore opened up on his view on the subject. 

The Collingwood captain hit out at critics who tell athletes to ‘shut up and play’

‘I’ll be voting yes,’ he said. ‘To me, I feel like it’s an intuitive next step and seems to be an important and practical way to help Indigenous Australians and recognise them in the constitution,’ Moore said.

‘There’s sort of nothing in there that I’m in the wording of the question that seems to be problematic to me. It all seems pretty straightforward. So I’ll be voting yes.’

When questioned as to whether he thinks a Yes vote would give Indigenous Australians special status and create divisions, Moore answered in the negative. 

‘The argument around division … to my mind there is already advisory bodies for Indigenous Australians that have come and gone as governments have changed. 

‘The mechanism has kind of already existed anyway, so by making it sort of permanent in the constitution, it’s just locking it in.

‘So in that way it’s not anything new. It’s not like First Nations Australians are suddenly going to have all of these extra rights.’

A number of high-profile sports stars have now backed Yes, with Moore joining Nathan Cleary and Nicho Hynes in supporting the campaign. The AFL defender hit out at critics who tell athletes to keep their views to themselves. 

‘Athletes are human beings and citizens of the country too so they can exercise their right and say what they want to say,’ he said.