Undecided voters key to referendum result

The fate of the Voice referendum is in the hands of hundreds of thousands of Australians who remain undecided with just over a week out from the vote as both sides prepare a final campaign blitz.

The fate of the Voice referendum is in the hands of hundreds of thousands of Australians who remain undecided with just over a week out from the vote as both sides prepare a final campaign blitz.

More than 973,000 Australians have already early voted according to the Australian Electoral Commission, but with just over a week to referendum day Yes and No campaigners will set their sights on Western Sydney, Adelaide and Tasmania where they believe the most undecided votes are up for grabs.

It can be exclusively revealed Labor research has found more than 25 per cent of the SA are unsure how they will vote on the Voice on October 14, while campaign sources said they expected similar levels of undecided voters in pockets of Sydney, Adelaide, Hobart and Launceston.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong, who joined former senator Natasha Stott Despoja and Voice campaigner Khatija Thomas handing out flyers in Adelaide on Thursday, said the large number of undecided voters was an “opportunity” for the Yes team.

“There’s a lot of noise around the referendum, but ultimately voting Yes is about a step forward for the country,” she said.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong, former Senator Natasha Stott Despoja and Yes campaigner Khatija Thomas hand out how to votes in Adelaide. Picture: NCA Newswire / Emma Brasier

“And I’d say to South Australians, we’ve always been a step ahead as a state on many issues - one of the first places in the world to give universal (voting) to women.”

“We’ve had a proud history of social reform and this is an opportunity for us to take another step forward.”

As she campaigned, Ms Wong was approached by many multicultural Australians asking about the Voice.

“I think they understand the importance of inclusion and they understand the importance of communities being listened to, so it’s a really positive response from many people,” she said.

“There are obviously a range of views in the multicultural communities, and we will keep engaging.”

South Australia is a must-win state for the Yes campaign. Picture: NCA Newswire / Emma Brasier

Ms Wong said the No campaign was saying it didn’t want any progress and instead have “things to stay the same”.

“We know we want better outcomes for Indigenous Australians, we know that you’re more likely to die before your first Birthday if you’re Indigenous, you’re more likely to have higher suicide rates,” she said.

“What we want is a Voice that can provide advice on how we can improve the outcomes for our kids and make safer and healthier communities.

“That’s a good thing for the country.”

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Travelling Australia for the Voice referendum, Pt 1 #voicetoparliament#voicereferendum#auspol

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Coalition Indigenous Australians spokeswoman and Northern Territory Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price also campaigned for a second day in the outer Adelaide suburb of Elizabeth and later spoke at a No event in Gawler.

Ms Price told the gathering of more than 100 people the referendum was the “most divisive” the nation had faced.

“It is utter contempt for the Australian people that we are told to sign a blank cheque,” she said.

“Don’t worry about details that will come later.”

Shawn Lock, Senator Alex Antic, Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, her step son Kinkade Lillie and partner Colin Lillie doing a walk-through of the Elizabeth Shopping Centre. Picture: Brett Hartwig

Key Yes and No campaigners are preparing to blitz Adelaide, Hobart, northern Tasmania and Western Sydney over the next seven days where both sides think the referendum will be won or lost.

World Vision chief executive Tim Costello is campaigning for the Yes with faith group leaders around the country and said he had been “struck” by how “disengaged” many voters were.

“I really think it’s important to communicate this is not the federal election of put on your green, red or blue t-shirt and follow your party, this is actually about the future of the nation,” he said.

“So many Australians don’t like politics, but this isn’t about politics, it’s about our Indigenous Australians, recognising they were the first people.”