More than 25 rallies will be held over the country on Sunday, as the ‘Yes’ campaign fights to bolster support for an indigenous Voice to parliament referendum, slated to be held later this year.
Campaign organisers Yes23 said more than 10,000 people had registered their attendance for the events.
By 11am, crowds of people had gathered at locations all across the country, coinciding with the start of Naidoc week.
Key rallies have been organised at inner-city locations in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Cairns, with dozens of other smaller community events happening at the same time.
More than 25 rallies will be held over the country on Sunday, as the ‘Yes’ campaign fights to bolster support for an indigenous Voice to parliament referendum, slated to be held later this year
By 11am, crowds of people had gathered at locations all across the country, coinciding with the start of Naidoc week
Speaking in Brisbane, Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney said she believed Australians would rally in support of the referendum.
‘The outcome of this referendum, I am sure, you will see the Australian people come together and rise to the occasion and I have every faith in them,’ she told Sky News.
Yes 23 campaign Director Dean Parkin said he was excited the conversation on the referendum was being moved out of the Canberra bubble, and into the community.
‘For far too long this campaign, this referendum conversation, has been locked up in Canberra with politicians,’ he said.
‘100 per cent our sole focus is taking that conversation … because that’s where this campaign belongs, that’s where this referendum belongs.’
Taking place outside the Victorian Trades Hall, Victorian Aboriginal community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) boss Aunty Jill Gallagher, Australian Council of Trade Unions President Michele O’Neil and indigenous educator, activist and musician Scott Darlow will speak, with performances from Darlow and Robert K Champion.
Grey skies and intermittent showers didn’t deter Melbourne supporters from turning up in the thousands.
Wurundjeri and Gunnai Kurnai Elder, Uncle Ringo Terrick urged unity in his speech to attendees.
‘Let’s join hands and really walking into the future together as a united country and as a united voice,’ he said.
In Sydney, NSW Leader of the Government in the Upper House, Penny Sharpe will address a rally in Prince Alfred Park.
Mr Parkin said it was an opportunity for people to learn more about the campaign and hear from speakers about how a yes vote will affect Indigenous communities first hand.
‘Community momentum for a Yes vote continues to build and I encourage Australians to head to one of these events and find out how they can get involved in our campaign between now and referendum day,’ he said.
In Sydney, NSW Leader of the Government in the Upper House, Penny Sharpe will address a rally in Prince Alfred Park
‘We want to reach as many Australians as possible with our positive message that this proposal will give Indigenous people a real say on matters that affect them, whether that be across health, housing or education.
‘We want everyday Australians, whether they live in Devonport, Wollongong, Perth or Cairns to go along to an event today, to get informed and join this positive movement.’
According to the latest Newspoll conducted for The Australian, support for the ‘Yes’ vote was diminishing, dropping to 43 per cent, while support for the ‘No’ vote had increased by four points to 47 per cent.
The polling marked the first time those opposed to The Voice polled stronger than those in favour of the referendum passing.
While the date of the referendum has yet to be confirmed, Australians are expected to be asked to hit the polls and vote to amend the constitution to recognise indigenous Australians by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice before the end of the year.
