Press Club rejects racism calls over scheduling of Price, Mundine speeches

Mundine is yet to give his address. Tingle said he withdrew from his initial date of August 16, a slot which was later taken by Senator Lidia Thorpe, before agreeing to take the September 27 slot, which he again withdrew from.

Coalition spokeswoman for Indigenous Australians Jacinta Nampijinpa Price at the National Press Club on Thursday.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

An ABC spokesperson said all Press Club appearances outside the usual Wednesday slot were taken on merit, and due to the public interest in Price’s address, it aired live on the ABC’s main channel and News channel, as well as on digital platform, iView. Mundine’s speech is also set to air live on all three platforms.

Mundine and the office for Senator Price have been contacted for comment.

Mundine is now scheduled to appear on Tuesday, September 26, with the Wednesday slot on September 27 set to be filled by Noel Pearson, lawyer and advocate for the Yes vote. Pearson’s address is also not scheduled to be in the National Room.

Rupert Murdoch-owned The Australian called the scheduling “fortunate” for Yes advocates, as Pearson, Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney and professor Marcia Langton, all appeared, or were scheduled to appear in the Wednesday slot.

This week’s featured speakers are Melanoma Institute Australia co-medical directors, Professor Richard Scolyer and Professor Georgina Long, with the address to be held in the Kerry Packer Education Centre in Camperdown, NSW, due to the renovations in the usual venue.

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