Nathan Cleary has copped a backlash for standing up for the Indigenous Voice – good on him for backing what he believes in a country with plenty of racism…

Nathan Cleary has copped a backlash for standing up for the Indigenous Voice – good on him for backing what he believes in a country with plenty of racism…

Nathan Cleary has never been one to seek the spotlight away from the football field, but recently the Penrith Panthers and NSW Blues halfback found himself at the centre of a national conversation after publicly standing up for the Indigenous Voice. The reaction was swift and, in some quarters, ugly. Cleary copped backlash from critics who argued that athletes should “stick to sport” or questioned why he felt the need to speak on a social issue. Yet, in a country that still struggles with deep-rooted racism and inequality, Cleary deserves credit for backing what he believes in.

 

Australia has a long history of asking its sports stars to be role models while simultaneously demanding their silence on issues that matter. When athletes speak out against racism, inequality, or injustice, they are often accused of being divisive or out of their depth. Cleary’s experience is another example of this contradiction. As one of the most recognisable figures in Australian sport, his voice carries weight, and that is precisely why it matters when he chooses to use it.

 

Cleary’s support for the Indigenous Voice was not loud, aggressive, or attention-seeking. It was measured and respectful, rooted in a belief that Indigenous Australians deserve a greater say in matters that directly affect their lives. For many Indigenous people, sport has been one of the few spaces where their contributions are celebrated, yet off the field they continue to face discrimination, poorer health outcomes, and limited political representation. When someone like Cleary speaks up, it helps bridge that gap between admiration and action.

 

The backlash he received also exposed an uncomfortable truth: racism in Australia is far from a thing of the past. While some criticism came from genuine political disagreement, much of the hostility was tinged with intolerance and dismissiveness toward Indigenous perspectives. That Cleary was targeted simply for expressing support highlights how threatening progress can feel to those unwilling to confront the country’s history and present realities.

 

What makes Cleary’s stance particularly commendable is that he had little to gain personally. He is at the peak of his career, a multiple premiership winner, and one of the faces of the NRL. Staying silent would have been the easier, safer option. Instead, he chose integrity over comfort. In doing so, he joined a growing group of athletes who understand that leadership extends beyond performance statistics and trophy cabinets.

 

Sport has always played a powerful role in shaping Australian identity. Figures like Cleary can help push that identity toward one that is more inclusive and honest. Supporting the Indigenous Voice does not diminish anyone else’s rights or achievements; it simply acknowledges that Indigenous Australians deserve to be heard in a meaningful way.

 

In the end, Nathan Cleary standing up for the Indigenous Voice is about more than politics. It is about empathy, courage, and using influence responsibly. In a country where racism still exists in subtle and overt forms, it is refreshing—and necessary—to see someone in his position say, “This matters to me.” Good on him for backing his beliefs, even when it wasn’t easy.