Locals campaign both stances for Voice to Parliament now that referendum date is set

The starter’s gun has been fired on the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum, with local voices joining the chorus of debate and discussion ramping up ahead of the October 14 poll. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese locked in the date on Wednesday, sparking a six-week campaign on the divisive issue. Yamaji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation CEO Simon Hawkins said the organisation remained confident the Yes vote would get over the line, and ensure First Nations voices a seat at the table. Mr Hawkins said despite existing non-First Nations organisations providing counsel to the government on a range of issues, the Voice was an important addition as it would be specifically for First Nations matters. “People can then make an informed decision instead of relying on misinformation which is what is confusing some people,” he said. Indigenous affairs activist and legal academic Emma Garlett, from Geraldton, also expressed her confidence in the Yes vote. “Momentum is growing, people are excited, and they want change, they want to be a part of making history through a successful referendum,” she said. “This vote will be a positive change for Aboriginal people, wouldn’t you want to be a part of that?” Liberal Member for Durack Melissa Price said the No vote was strong in regional WA. “What is also obvious is that we all want Indigenous Australians to have a better life,” she said. Ms Price said the absence of details on the Voice model meant it was making it difficult for people to form an opinion, unsure of whether the dial would change. Northern Territory Country Liberal Party Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price took aim at corporate Australia, believing voters to have jumped on to the Yes campaign to “appear virtuous”. “This is an elite concept, an elite experiment that really people in remote communities are completely detached from,” she said. Now a date is set, the Australian Electoral Commission has urged everyone to check their enrolment eligibility, needing a double majority for a victory: a national majority of all voters and support from at least four of the six States. WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT VOICE REFERENDUM: PAGES 22-23