Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has enlisted the support of NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal in calling for constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians and a Voice to Parliament.
Albanese praised O’Neal after meeting with the basketball great in Sydney on Saturday morning, highlighting his work “in the United States about social justice and lifting people up who are marginalised”.
“He knows that we’re a warm and generous people,” Albanese said.
“And he wanted to inform himself about what this debate was about.”
The prime minister argued the world was watching the debate in Australia about recognition of First Nations people.
“I just believe that it will send a really positive message to the world about our maturity as a nation,” Albanese said.
The PM, along with Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney, presented O’Neal with a boomerang handmade by First Nations artist Josh Evans, and two jerseys from Albanese’s beloved South Sydney Rabbitohs.
“I’m here in your country, whatever you need from me, just let me know,” O’Neal said.
“We all know Shaq loves Australia.” (RNZ)