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'If not now, when?': Albanese suggests wording for referendum question on Indigenous Voice

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced the suggested wording for a referendum question to be put to Australians to vote on altering the Constitution to enshrine an Indigenous Voice to parliament.

Albanese, who is in Arnhem Land for the Garma cultural festival, opened his speech by paying respect to the Yolngu traditional owners in language.

The proposed question for the referendum will be: "Do you support an alteration to the Constitution that establishes an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice?"

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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

It will be the first referendum in 20 years and the wording is not locked in, Albanese said.

He said the question should be clear and simple "to give the conversation shape and direction".

"I believe the tide is running our way, I believe the momentum is with us, as never before," Albanese said.

"I believe the country is ready for this reform. I believe there is room in Australian hearts, for the Statement from the Heart.

"We are seeking a momentous change but it is also a very simple one."

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at Garma festival in Northern Territory

Albanese said the change his government is proposing is not about special treatment or preferential power for Indigenous people.

"Writing the Voice into the Constitution means a willingness to listen won't depend on who is in government or who is prime minister," he said.

"The Voice will exist and endure outside of the ups and downs of election cycles and the weakness of short-term politics.

"It will be an unflinching source of advice and accountability, not a third chamber, not a rolling veto, not a blank cheque, but a body with the perspective and the power and the platform to tell the government and the parliament the truth about what is working and what is not.

"A Voice enshrined in the constitution cannot be silenced."

The wording of a referendum is taken incredibly seriously given the legal significance of such a vote. It is partly why referendums happen so infrequently in Australia.

Albanese acknowledged that referendums rarely succeed in Australia but said the risk of failure is not a reason not to try.

"We see this referendum as a magnificent opportunity for Australia," he said.

Albanese said the proposal was "a straightforward proposition".

"A simple principle. A question from the heart," he said.

Albanese said his government, if the referendum succeeded, recommended adding three sentences to the constitution:

  1. There shall be a body, to be called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice
  2. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice may make representations to parliament and the executive government on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
  3. The parliament shall, subject to this Constitution, have power to make laws with respect to the composition, functions, powers and procedures of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.

No date has been set for the referendum but Labor has indicated it will be before the next election, which is due in 2025.

https://twitter.com/AlboMP/status/1552938498608377857

Albanese asked, "if not now, when?" in regards to the referendum.

"Fundamentally, this is a reform I believe every Australian can embrace, from all walks of life, in every part of the country, from every faith and background and tradition," he said.

"Enshrining a Voice will be a national achievement.

"It will be above politics. A unifying Australian moment."