The date is finally set for Australians to vote on whether they want to change the constitution to recognise the Aboriginal and Torres Strait island people, which will be a defining moment in the struggle for indigenous rights in the country. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced October 14 as the date for the landmark referendum at a news conference in Adelaide on Wednesday, calling it a once–in-a-generation chance to unite the nation, reported the news agency Reuters.
“October 14 is our time...it’s our chance," Albanese told a cheering crowd.
"It’s a moment calling out to the best of our Australian character. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people this has been a marathon. For all of us, it is now a sprint,” he was quoted by Reuters.
Ahead of the voting for the referendum, there will be a six-week campaign where they would be asked if they support altering the constitution and include the “Voice to Parliament”, an Indigenous committee to advise federal parliament on matters that affect the Aboriginal and Torres Strait island people.
In Australia, any constitutional changes require a national referendum.
The country has been slow to create relations with Indigenous people, who comprise about 3.2% of its nearly 26 million population. It has no treaty with its Indigenous population and tracks below national averages on most socio-economic measures. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people are not mentioned in Australia's constitution despite inhabiting the land for over 65,000 years.
Co-leading the campaign is Pat Anderson, an Aboriginal woman who said a majority of Aboriginal people support the Voice to Parliament because they know it will improve outcomes.
"Between now and referendum day, we ask everyone to remember that we as First Nations Peoples know what works best for our communities and we believe that a Voice will finally be the step to improve our people's lives," she was quoted by Reuters
While the government has added significant political capital for the success of the referendum, public support for the proposal has dipped in recent months. Voting yes will help mend ties with the Aboriginal community and unite the nation, and the advisory body will help prioritise Indigenous health, education, employment and housing.
Opponents argue the move would divide Australians along racial lines and hand excessive power to the Indigenous body.
"Voting No leads nowhere....it means nothing changes," Albanese said. "Voting No closes the door on this opportunity to move forward."
Australia has not held a referendum since 1999 and a referendum has not passed since 1977.
No referendum has ever passed without bipartisan support and the major parties remain divided over the Voice.