Voice to parliament ‘yes’ campaigns kick off across Australia as launch held in Perth

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has warned his political opponents to not miss the opportunity to enshrine an Indigenous voice to parliament, as “yes” campaigns kicked off across the country on Saturday.

At a community barbeque in his inner west Sydney electorate, Mr Albanese told the crowd the referendum — set to be held between October and December — was a chance to “unite our nation”.

“I say to those in positions of political leadership, do not miss this opportunity this time,” he said.

On the first day of a national “week of action” from yes campaigners, Mr Albanese asked the crowd “if not now, when?”

“This is not about symbolism or practical outcomes,” he said.

“The voice is a means to an end — to close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australia.

“On education, on health, on housing, on incarceration rates, on life expectancy, and on infant mortality.”

The “Yes” Campaign from the Heart launched in Perth with a community barbeque hosted by the City of Melville in Willagee, where Uluru Dialogue head of engagement Nolan Hunter spoke to a crowd of about 50.

The former Kimberley Land Council leader, hit back at critics of the referendum’s level of detail, highlighting deliberations around the voice had been going on “longer than any other referendum”.

“If a referendum is passed, then that is when the details would be created with the existing powers of parliament and the government,” he said.

“But you can’t have that before a referendum because it is not a requirement.

“If you look at the 44 referendums that have occurred since 1901, they have never required that level of detail that is being asked of people today.”

Mr Hunter said Aboriginal people had “spent all of history fighting for our identity and a say in the laws being created for us” which had led to intergenerational trauma among the population.

“It is not looking at a major change to the constitution, it is a minimal ask to ensure that governments can talk to us through a structured process before making laws and policies that affect us,” he said.

Noongar woman Peggy Cockie attended the Willagee event with her daughters and grandchildren and said “it was about time something was getting done” to give a voice to the next generation of Aboriginal people.

Ms Cockie had a simple rebuff to those saying there wasn’t enough information: “open your eyes and read”.

Mr Albanese said he would reach out to any parliamentarian from across the political spectrum on the voice as it shouldn’t be the subject of partisan debate.

“It will send a message to the world that we’re a mature nation, that we’re prepared to come to terms with our history and who we are,” he said.

It comes after Opposition leader Peter Dutton on Monday told parliament he regretted boycotting the 2008 apology to the stolen generation as he failed to understand the “symbolic significance” of the moment.

Mr Dutton continued to call for more information on the voice on Friday, warning it would fail and accused the Albanese government of withholding key details on the voice.