More than 25 rallies will be held across the country on Sunday as the ‘Yes’ campaign battles for support for a referendum on the indigenous vote for parliament, to be held later this year.
Campaign organizers Yes23 said more than 10,000 people signed up for the events.
By 11 a.m., crowds of people had gathered at sites across the country, coinciding with the start of Naidoc week.
Major gatherings have been held at downtown locations in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Cairns, while dozens of other smaller community events are taking place at the same time.
More than 25 rallies will be held across the country on Sunday as the ‘Yes’ campaign battles for support for a referendum on indigenous votes for parliament to be held later this year.
By 11 a.m. crowds of people had gathered at sites across the country, coinciding with the start of Naidoc week
In Brisbane, Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney said she believed Australians would support the referendum.
“I am confident that the outcome of this referendum will see the Australian people come together and seize the opportunity and I have every confidence in it,” she told Sky News.
Yes 23 campaign director Dean Parkin said he was excited that talk about the referendum was moving out of the Canberra bubble and into the community.
“For far too long this campaign, this referendum talk, has been cooped up in Canberra with politicians,” he said.
“Our only focus is 100 percent to have that conversation…because that’s where this campaign belongs, that’s where this referendum belongs.”
Outside the Victorian Trades Hall, the head of the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organization (VACCHO), Aunt Jill Gallagher, Australian Council of Trade Unions President Michele O’Neil and Indigenous educator, activist and musician Scott Darlow will speak, with performances by Darlow and Robert K champion.
Gray skies and occasional showers didn’t stop Melbourne supporters from turning out in their thousands.
Wurundjeri and Gunnai Kurnai Elder Uncle Ringo Terrick urged unity in addressing the audience.
“Let’s join hands and truly face the future together as a united country and as a united voice,” he said.
In Sydney, NSW Chief of 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 how a yes vote will impact Indigenous communities first hand.
“Community momentum for a yes vote continues to build and I encourage Australians to attend 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 Chief of 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 in matters that affect them, be it health, housing or education.
“We want ordinary Australians, whether they live in Devonport, Wollongong, Perth or Cairns, to attend an event today, be informed and join this positive movement.”
According to the latest Newspoll for The Australian, support for the ‘yes’ vote fell to 43 percent, while support for the ‘no’ vote increased by four points to 47 percent.
The poll was the first time that opponents of The Voice polled stronger than supporters of the referendum.
While the date of the referendum has yet to be confirmed, Australians are expected to go to the polls and vote to amend the constitution to recognize Indigenous Australians by creating an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice before the end of the year to establish.