Australians will vote in the referendum for an Indigenous Voice to Parliament on October 14.
“On that day, every Australian will have a once-in-a-generation chance to bring our country together,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed in Adelaide on Wednesday.
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Mr Albanese is calling on Australians to vote Yes, and to “not close the door on an idea that came from Aborginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples themselves”.
“You’re being asked to vote for an idea. To say Yes to an idea whose time has come,” he said.
The Prime Minister added the Voice is a “way for all of us to recognise Indigenous Australians and their history in our constitution”.
“[It’s] a form of recognition that will importantly make a positive difference to their lives and their futures,” he said.
“A practical way of dealing with issues that, despite all of the good intentions in this world, no Australian government has been able to get right before.
“The Voice will be a committee of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, local representatives from every state and territory, the regions, remote communities, as well as the Torres Strait Islands.
“A committee ofIndigenous Australians chosen by Indigenous Australians, giving advice to government so that we can get a better result for Indigenous Australians.”
For the referendum to pass, it requires a double majority Yes nationally as well as Yes in four of the six states.
South Australia and Tasmania are considered the two states which will swing the vote for the first referendum held in Australia in over 20 years.
Australians will be asked to vote Yes or No on the following question:
“A Proposed Law: to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. Do you approve this proposed alteration?”
In addition to the question, Australians will also be asked whether they support the Constitution to be amended which included a new chapter, Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples”.
This will state:
In recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia:
- There shall be a body, to be called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice;
- The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice may make representations to the Parliament and the Executive Government of the Commonwealth on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples;
- The Parliament shall, subject to this Constitution, have power to make laws with respect to matters relating to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice, including its composition, functions, powers and procedures.