Major ‘historic’ step towards Voice vote

The official pamphlet containing both “yes” and “no” arguments written by politicians will be published by the Australian Electoral Commission on Tuesday ahead of the referendum, set to be held sometime between October and December.

Labor was joined by the Greens, some Liberals, and independent crossbenchers in producing the 2000 word essay arguing for the Voice.

Meanwhile, the opposition’s spokesperson for Indigenous Australians, Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, was pulling together the “No” pamphlet with contributions by Liberals, the Nationals, and likely some crossbenchers.

Victorian Senator Lidia Thorpe had earlier voiced her intention to participate in developing the official “No” pamphlet, but later said she was excluded from contributing.

Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney said putting the “Yes” pamphlet together had been a “collaborative process” that had brought together the “best reasons why Australia should vote ‘yes’ for constitutional recognition through a Voice”.

“Referendums are historic opportunities that don’t come around very often,” she said.

“I encourage Australians to join this national conversation about constitutional recognition through a Voice and consider how we can make practical change that will improve lives.”

Greens’ spokesperson for First Nations Dorinda Cox welcomed the multi-partisan approach to the “yes” campaign.

“By voting Yes, we are saying that First Nations people should have a say and this right can never be taken away,” she said.

“A successful referendum can be a big step on the path to truth and treaty for the country.”

Helen Haines, the independent Indi MP, said she had been “pleased” to play a part in contributing tot he pamphlet.

“Australians are generous and curious and take the opportunity to vote in a referendum to alter the constitution seriously, and I believe the clear, factual information we have provided will answer the important questions people have about a constitutionally-enshrined Voice to Parliament,” she said.

Independent Curtin MP Kate Chaney said it was “evident” from conversations she’d had in her electorate that Australians were “keen to see a better future” for Indigenous Australians.

“People want to become better informed about the benefits of the Voice as a promise to keep listening,” she said.

“This pamphlet is an important part of that process. Once people understand the practicalities of the Voice … they start to see it as an exciting step in creating a fairer country.”

Goldstein MP Zoe Daniel said she hoped the pamphlet would “help support understanding and enable people to vote Yes”.

“This is our once in a generation opportunity to show who we are, and what we wan to be,” she said.

Sean Gordon, the co-convener of the Liberals for Yes campaign, said the “Yes” campaign was about
bringing all Australians together to walk towards a better future”.

“In 2023, every Australian will have the opportunity to vote Yes for a more reconciled nation and a better future for us all,” he said.

The AEC says it intends to translate the referendum pamphlet into more than 35 culturally and linguistically diverse languages, plus 20 traditional Indigenous languages – some of which are oral only.

Originally published as Official ‘yes’ and ‘no’ Voice pamphlets to go out this week