'Opportunity to be lifted up': PM calls on Australians to vote Yes

Speaking from the annual Garma Festival in Arnhem Land, the prime minister mentioned the No marketing campaign’s declare that now is not the correct time for a Voice is an argument that has been tried – and proved incorrect – up to now.

“There’s been some suggestion that this is not the right time,” Albanese mentioned.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addresses the press at a press conference during Garma Festival 2023. — Anthony Albanese has made one other impassioned case for the Indigenous Voice to parliament. (Tamati Smith/Getty Images)

“I say, 122 years after Federation, half a century after the referendum in which Indigenous Australians were counted, more than a decade after extensive processes were established… if not now, when?

“We are the one former colony of Europe that doesn’t recognise that there have been inhabitants right here earlier than 1788, in our case.

“In New Zealand’s case, that was recognised in the 19th century. In Canada’s case, in the 20th century. This is something that is for First Nations people, but it is more than that. It is something for all of us to be lifted up…

“Years earlier than [the Native Title] advance, years earlier than the Apology, which individuals mentioned additionally was by no means the correct time. Never the correct time.

Luke Gosling, Yolngu Elder Djawa Yunupingu and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese are escorted through the Garma Festival — Albanese made the feedback from the Garma Festival in Arnhem Land. (Tamati Smith/Getty Images)

“We waited for year after year after year for that Apology. And when it occurred, it brought the country together. It lifted the country up. And no one was hurt by that Apology.

“No one will probably be damage by a Yes vote on this referendum. But we now have a possibility to be lifted up.”

With speculation about when exactly the referendum will be held, Albanese said he won’t be unveiling the date during this weekend’s festival, where support for the Voice among First Nations people is “unanimous”.

He did, however, implore the No campaign to engage in a more honest debate and to “speak about what folks will probably be voting on” rather than diverting the discourse onto areas the Voice would not cover.

“I’m significantly disillusioned that folks in positions of management who know… precisely the implications of what they’re doing, who ought to know higher, are ready to prioritise what they see as a political benefit,” Albanese said.

“This is not about politics. It’s not about Labor or Liberal.

“This is about whether this country recognises Indigenous Australians, and whether you believe that if you listen to people and have a structure, you’ll get better outcomes.

“I imagine that is the case. If folks do not imagine that is the case, then definitely they need to put that argument. But I feel it’s extremely clear.”

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton is not in Arnhem Land for the festival, having knocked back the prime minister’s invitation to attend.