THAT date for Australia’s first referendum this century has been set, with the vote to determine if an Indigenous Voice to Parliament will be implemented.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese spoke at the launch of the Yes23 campaign in Adelaide on Wednesday and announced October 14 would be the day to vote.
The vote will give Australian citizens the chance to say either yes or no to a proposed change to the constitution regarding the implementation of an Indigenous Voice to Parliament.
Mr Albanese said for many years Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people had advocated for constitutional recognition through a voice.
“Our government, along with every single state and territory government, has committed to it,” Mr Albanese said.
“Legal experts have endorsed it and people on all sides of the parliament have backed it.
“Faith groups and sporting codes and local councils and businesses and unions have embraced it and an army of volunteers from every part of this great nation are throwing all of their energy behind it.”
He said on the day, each Australian would have a “once in a generation chance” to bring the country together and “change it for the better”.
“Referendums come around much less often than elections and this will be the first one this century and they are very different,” Mr Albanese said.
“On October 14, you are not being asked to vote for a political party or for a person, you are being asked to vote for an idea.
“In the words of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, ‘when we have power over our destiny our children will flourish’.”
Mr Albanese said all Australians would get an equal say and encouraged those who were unclear on the proposal to “ask questions” and “find out more”.
“Have a listen to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders…have a read of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, it is just one page full of grace and generosity, inviting all Australians to walk together to a better future,” he said.
A spokesperson for the Australian Electoral Commission said all Australians who were on the electoral roll would be able to vote via a number of voting options.
“Polling places on voting day will be open from 8am until 6pm local time,” the spokesperson said.
“Pre-poll voting centre opening times will be published in due course.
“If voters anticipate they will be away or unable to cast their vote on October 14, we recommend heading to a pre-poll voting centre or applying for a postal vote.”
Polling places specific in Mount Gambier/Berrin will be revealed soon.
Applications for postal voting will close on October 11 at 6pm.
