“A positive vote for change”: Political leaders final push for the Indigenous Voice Referendum

By JUSTIN COOPER

As millions across Australia are currently voting, political leaders are continuing to encourage an affirmative vote toward the Indigenous Voice to Parliament Referendum.

On Saturday, October 14, voters are to write “Yes” or “No” to the 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?”

Along with the public visting the voting booths, political figures from federal, state and local government levels are on the ground pushing for the ‘yes’ vote.

“Put your shoulder to the wheel of history”

Visiting the Carlton South Public School in the Kogarah Electorate, NSW Premier Chis Minns and Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney joined voting queues.

The local electorate for both political leaders, Minns and Burney proudly expressed their decision voting ‘yes.’

Speaking on the vote, Minns said, “Today we’re asking people to take a once-in-a-generation chance to recognise and hear the Voice of Australia’s First Peoples.”

“For many Australians this will not be a big change, but it will be a massive change for indigenous communities,” he continued.

“But to those who have not made up their mind, I say this is a positive vote for change that will make a meaningful difference to the First Nations people of this country.”

Burney continued to express her excitement in voting, explaining the “butterflies” in her stomach were in optimism for a positive outcome.

“This is your opportunity to put your shoulder to the wheel of history and give it a push,” Burney said.

“People voting ‘yes’ for changes, People voting ‘yes’ for a more equal country… People voting ‘yes’ for a more unified nation.”

Just voted with a giant of the movement, @LindaBurneyMP.

Vote Yes. pic.twitter.com/dFgatwnTB1

— Chris Minns (@ChrisMinnsMP) October 13, 2023

“For Australia to unite”

In his local Grayndler Electorate, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese spoke from Balmain Public School encouraging people to vote and to move towards to the constitutional change.

“I stand here before you today as the 31st Prime Minister of Australia, saying this is an opportunity for Australia to unite, to be strengthen, and reach out to our most vulnerable citizens.

Recalling the past 1967 referendum, Albanese said, “In my life time, Indigenous Australians were not counted, now they’re asking to be heard.”

“It is not too much to ask, and I ask Australia’s, to vote ‘yes’ today.”

Voting is compulsory for all Australians aged 18 and over. You may be fined if you do not vote, without a sufficient reason.

Votes will continue to be counted over the next few days. Whilst there may be indications of the vote over the weekend, it may be days or weeks till postal, overseas and additional votes are counted to the total.