Charlotte Varcoe
WITH pre-polling for the Voice to Parliament referendum beginning this week, campaigners from both sides of the debate have been out the front, handing out flyers.
The referendum, which will be formally held on October 14, asks voters whether they agree to a proposed law which reads “to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice”.
Voters are then asked to write either “yes” or “no” in the box below based on their belief.
Yes23 campaigner and First Nations woman Danni Smith said she was campaigning in favour of the Voice to Parliament because she believed it would help build a better future for her children and grandchildren.
“So far the pre-polling response has been good and there has been a good response from a lot of community members,” Ms Smith said.
“The division of undecided voters are open to taking both sides of the campaign and both of our flyers which is promising and really good.
“Everyone has been really nice with lots of smiles.”
Ms Smith said she believed there needed to be more Yes23 campaigners within the region at the pre-polling booths and on the official voting day.
She said she believed in the concept of the Voice, stating the recognition of First Nations people as the First Nations people of Australia was important.
“This is the stuff my grandparents fought for so many years ago so I would love to see that happen,” Ms Smith said.
“I feel optimistic about the vote because you never know…we are already living in the no, this is what the no looks like.”
Also at the pre-polling booth was No Campaign supporter Barry Maskell who said he decided to vote against the Voice to Parliament because he “believed in free speech and normal rights”.
“I just want our normal rights and I don’t want my rights taken away and I don’t agree with what happened in the past,” Mr Maskell said.
“They have got all the rights we have got but the community response so far has been friendly enough.”
He said he believed that nothing needed to be changed within the constitution and had found everyone at the pre-polling booth having a “good attitude”.
“I am hoping there will be no activists and I would like to see a no vote but that is my opinion and everyone is entitled to their own opinion,” he said.
“I have no issues with anyone.”
The pre-polling booth is located at the ex-Brumby Signs Building on Sturt Street.
