Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney says looming Voice to Parliament referendum is Australia’s ‘one shot’ at landmark

Federal Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney says the upcoming referendum on a proposed national Voice to Parliament is Australia’s “one shot” to pass the landmark move.

Federal Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney says the upcoming referendum on a proposed national Voice to Parliament is Australia’s “one shot” to pass the landmark move.

Speaking at a “yes” vote event in Adelaide on Saturday, Ms Burney said the federal government had not discussed the possibility of the referendum failing.

“The Labor Party is absolutely laser focused on winning this referendum,” Ms Burney said.

“We are not contemplating anything else.

“This is a once in a generation opportunity. It’s not going to come along again next year or the year later so we have to grasp it now.

“This is our one shot in the locker.”

Federal Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney says the upcoming referendum on a national Voice to Parliament is Australia’s “one shot” to pass the landmark move. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

Ms Burney said despite recent polls showing a drop in public approval for the Voice, the federal government remained positive about the prospects of the referendum passing.

“We just (need to) work hard, have a respectful discussion, make sure that we go forward with positivity in the understanding that this will make a practical difference in the lives of First Nations people,” Ms Burney said.

Asked if she believed the decline in approval for the Voice was linked to the rising cost of living, Ms Burney said: “Australians can chew gum and walk at the same time”.

“Our number one priority is the cost of living,” Ms Burney said.

“The issue of this referendum is about Australia uniting, Australia recognising the disadvantage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and Australians being able to walk prouder and taller come the Sunday after the referendum.”

Premier Peter Malinauskas and Indigenous Affairs Minister Kyam Maher threw their support behind Ms Burney at Saturday’s event, which was attended by dozens of volunteers who doorknocked homes in Prospect campaigning for the “yes” campaign.

Mr Malinauskas took aim at the state opposition’s announcement on Thursday it would oppose the referendum.

“I’m really disappointed by it,” Mr Malinauskas said.

Premier Peter Malinauskas and Indigenous Affairs Minister Kyam Maher threw their support behind Ms Burney at Saturday’s “yes” vote event, which was attended by dozens of volunteers who doorknocked homes in Prospect. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

“It seems as though the South Australian Liberal Party has now been taken over by the far right.

“They’ve had that many positions on this issue that it speaks to a lack of guiding principle.”

Kaurna Elder Aunty Yvonne Agius said the referendum was about Indigenous people having “decisions for ourselves”.

“We are out in the community,” she said.

“We mix with the community, we know what they want because they talk to us.”

Ms Burney said having the backing of Elders showed her the government was on the “right track”.

“It tells me that this is about justice and doing the right thing,” Ms Burney said.

“They have the life experience of unimaginable things in this country and their generosity is just remarkable and it provides the legitimacy of doing the right thing by everyone.”