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Rugby league icon Mal Meninga has thrown his support behind the Indigenous Voice and praised the NRL for leading the way on the referendum.
Meninga, an Australian of South Sea Islander heritage, is backing the Yes campaign ahead of the October 14 poll. He quashed suggestions his support was an example of sport and politics intertwining.
“I feel this is about acknowledging First Nations people, enshrining it in the constitution,” Meninga said.
“I believe that’s a good thing. What happens after that, I’m not quite sure, but from an acknowledgement and recognition point of view, I feel it’s very important.
“I support that. They say that politics and sport shouldn’t mix, but I just don’t think this is a political issue. It’s a human issue around all Australians.”
The NRL was one of the first sporting organisations to back the Yes vote. The sport has a strong bond with First Nation communities; Arthur Beetson was the first Indigenous person to captain Australia in any sport when he led the Kangaroos in 1973, while about 13 per cent of the men’s NRL competition identified as Indigenous, well above the four per cent of the general population.
Mal Meninga is an advocate for the Indigenous Voice to parliament.Credit: Getty
Like Beetson, Meninga is a rugby league Immortal who is one of the game’s most decorated players and coaches. He praised the NRL for its pro-Voice stance and the backing from several of its superstars, who will soon release video messages of support.
“It’s a great vehicle for them to make a difference in many personal lives, their families’ lives, and the lives of First Nations people as well,” Meninga said.
“I admire that in them. They want to move forward all the time, which is great.”
Meninga, coach of the Australian men’s national team, was speaking after the naming of the Prime Minister’s XIII team on Wednesday. The side will take on Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby on September 23, marking the first time the teams have played in the region since 2018.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has thrown his support behind PNG’s bid to be granted the next NRL franchise, an ambition echoed by Meninga.
“In due course, absolutely,” Meninga said.
“We should be doing everything we possibly can to promote the game over there. Everyone loves the game. I certainly support it and trips and occasions like this certainly help.”
The PM’s XIII concept aims to spread social awareness messages in the Pacific. There will also be a clash between the women’s teams, while this year’s event marks the introduction of the Australian schoolboys and girls taking on the Junior Kumuls and Orchids respectively, with support from the Australian government.
“These contests represent far more than just a couple of games of footy,” Albanese said.
“Papua New Guinea and Australia are the closest of neighbours and we are the best of friends. We are working together to build a more prosperous, stable and peaceful region.”
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