Voices of Victoria: Your say on the Voice to Parliament referendum
As the Voice to Parliament referendum approaches, we asked people around Victoria how they intend to vote and why.
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On October 14, 2023, Australians will vote in the nation’s first referendum in 24 years.
Ballot papers will ask whether voters approve an alteration to the Constitution “to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice”.
With early voting already open, some citizens have already exercised their civic duty, and others must send postal votes within the week.
Most, however, will likely visit polling booths in person next Saturday and contribute to Australian history whatever the outcome.
We asked people from across Victoria how they intended to vote and why.
Here’s what they said.
Sam Donia, 65, Bulleen
NO
“I am voting no because I think there’s already enough Indigenous representation in the parliament at the moment and that’s it.”
Michele Gierck, Heidelberg
YES
“I am a yes – I’ve always been a yes.
“It’s the social justice oriented thing to do. It’s fair and reasonable.”
Fernando Antonella, 75, Heidelberg
YES
“I am voting yes because we should all be equal, it’s just plain and simple.”
Assiya Ali, 19, Viewbank
YES
“I voted yes because I think it’s fair and right – there’s no harm in it.”
Fosca Mazzanti, 95, Heidelberg
YES
“All Australians should be treated equally.”
Rosanna McDonough, 93, Ivanhoe
YES
“I will be voting yes in the Voice referendum so I can sleep at night.
“I think the Indigenous people of Australia have had a terrible time with racial discrimination, especially with the over-representation in prisons and short lifespan.
“They deserve to be recognised”.
Justine Steel, 65, Alphington
YES
“I am voting yes because this land was stolen, and Indigenous people need to be acknowledged at last.”
Steven Trezise, Darwin
YES
“I think we’re a long way off what maybe should have happened or what should already be in place.
“I don’t think this’ll fix it, but it’s certainly a step to where I think we need to get to as a country.
“It’s not perfect, but if it’s that stepping stone towards a treaty, it’s a no-brainer to have the traditional owners have input and have say and have ideas run past them before anything happens.”
Vanessa Dickson, Ballarat
YES
“I can’t understand why we don’t have a treaty, why we haven’t done more like New Zealand,” she said.
“I think it would be shattering if the ‘no’s won out, which I think would put us back.
“To me it seems like a logical thing.”
Ria Still, Shepparton
YES
“I think it’s important that Indigenous people are recognised in the constitution.
“I think it’s a step in the right direction.”
Lauren Hennessy, Shepparton
YES
“I’m voting yes – it’s important we take this step in recognising the Indigenous as the First People here and noting it in the Constitution so that it can’t be changed.
“It’s really important, it’s a step closer and it’s good for the future.”
Adam Bollinger, CBD
YES
“I would be in the yes vote.
“I think Australia needs to do better for sure for the Aboriginal people – they deserve the respect and a lot of people just don’t seem to be wanting to give them that.
Lori Harley, St Kilda and Catriona Taralrud-Bay, Blackburn
YES
Ms Taralrud-Bay
“I know there are a lot of people who aren’t voting yes because they want the treaty, but that may come down the track.
“The no arguments seem to be so negative they don’t seem to be concentrating on the actual Uluru statement.
“Anyone who is confused and doesn’t know what can find resources to help them.”
Ms Harley
“I think we need to vote yes and be positive about all of it.
“Everyone deserves a fair go and if voting yes is going to give Indigenous people better rights and move ahead with us (it’s a good thing).
“It is lunacy to say if you don’t know, vote no. If you don’t know, find out.”
Helen, NSW, and Rowena O’Neill
UNDECIDED, YES
Helen
“I haven’t decided.
“The fact it’s a referendum and a Constitution change and there is something about the permanency about that.
“Governments come in and out but the fact it is a Constitution change I think makes me want to be more careful about my decision.
Ms O’Neill
“I’m voting yes because I want to live in an Australia where we have justice for First Nations people and also because Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people have asked us to.”
Rajendra Yadav, Adelaide
YES
“I work for an organisation that is not trying to push us one way or the other but gave us some reading materials about the vote,” Mr Yadav said.
“It was very helpful because I did not know why this was happening, why we were voting and why now. But, learning about the past and what has happened to them, I feel that the native people of this land should be heard and have the right to say what needs to be done in their communities.”
Luke, 27 and Kelsey, 28
UNDECIDED
“We’ve heard so many mixed opinions about it, but we aren’t sure yet.
“We’d love to know more about it before we make a final decision.”
Karen, 72
UNDECIDED
“I haven’t done as much reading on it as I want to.
“I want to, however, do whatever benefits the Indigenous people.”
Nikkola, 29
YES
“I don’t know if I believe that the referendum will go far enough.”
“I do think, however, it is a good first step.”
Charles Taylor, Corowa
YES
“I‘m voting yes because I want more Aboriginal culture in Australia.”
Jim, 70, Heidelberg
NO
“There are 12 or 13 senators already in parliament.
“I think there's better ways to deal with Aboriginal affairs rather than try and divide a nation – we are one nation; not two, not three, not four – just one nation and one people.
Helen Bedilu
YES
“I am voting yes because I believe it’s time to move forward.
“We need to make some change – we are one nation.”
Denise Liersch, Heidelberg
YES
“I am a part of the Uniting Church and we can have a covenant relationship [and want] First and Second Peoples to walk together and that is what the whole of the First Peoples Congress in the United Church are asking for.
“This is a moment in history and we are saying yes to that.”
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