How a viral Channel Seven clip that had nothing to do with the voice was co-opted by the no camp

Some opponents of the Indigenous voice to parliament have been using ‘scare tactics’ to claim a yes vote would affect land ownership. Photograph: Matt Jelonek/Getty Images

The two-minute clip never mentions the Indigenous voice to parliament, but a now-viral Channel Seven news story about cancelled tree planting ceremonies in Western Australia was quickly seized upon last week by the no campaign and far-right opponents of the voice.

The video has now reached more than 1.5m views on Twitter, largely thanks to a significant boost from opponents of the voice, who have attempted to co-opt controversy over the state’s updated planning laws since at least early July.