Thousands rally to take Voice from MPs

Organisers of the Yes23 campaign say their sole focus is taking the conversation away from the politicians and to the people as more than 25 rallies were held across Australia on Sunday.

Organisers of the Yes23 campaign say their sole focus is taking the conversation away from the politicians and to the people as more than 25 rallies were held across Australia on Sunday to reinforce support for an Indigenous Voice to parliament referendum.

Hundreds turned out to cheer the referendum in Brisbane at Emma Miller Place on Roma St in the morning.

Yes23 campaign director Dean Parkin said it was an exciting day, knowing thousands of Australians were coming together to learn about the campaign.

“Our concern always has been and will be between now and the referendum, events like this - where Australians are turning out on mass and taking the conversation to the Australian community,” he said.

“For far too long this campaign, this referendum, the conversation has locked up in Canberra with politicians - 100 per cent our sole focus is now taking that conversation (to the people) because that’s where this campaign belongs, that’s where the referendum belongs.”

Dean Parkin at the Yes23 Campaign and Come Together for Yes event in Brisbane on Sunday. Picture: Richard Walker

Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney said the referendum was about getting practical outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

“It’s also going to be a unifying moment for this country. Imagine the pride we will all have when we wake up a day after a successful referendum,” she said.

Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney on Sunday. Picture: Richard Walker

“We will go forward in a positive way, we will go forward with the spirit of Australia behind us and we will be successful later this year when the referendum is here.”

Ms Burney said the eyes of the world were truly on Australia but she had faith Australians would rally and vote yes.

Hundreds turned out to the Brisbane event. Picture: Richard Walker

“It is not OK there is such a gap in life expectancy, it is not OK that there are 30 people living in a three-bedroom home,” she said.

Jojoe Tessiram, of the Wiradjuri people, said the referendum was important to her because growing up her father and grandmother wouldn’t let her acknowledge her Aboriginal side and said it was safer not to.

Jojoe Tesiram at the event on Sunday. Picture: Richard Walker

“My grandmother wanted to protect us and my father, you know,” he said.

“My father still had a hard time up until the time he died two years ago. Being able to reconcile that side and you know, so that when he was admitted to end of life care, he still did not state that he was Aboriginal when asked.”

Ms Tessiram said she hoped other people wouldn’t go through what she did.

“I became angry because I’d missed out on so much of that side of my culture.

“But I’ve realised as time has gone by that so many of mob go through this as well.”

Ms Tessiram said the referendum would build hope and to show them Indigenous people have a voice now.

More than 25 rallies were held across Australia on Sunday as the Yes campaign fights to bolster support for the Indigenous Voice to parliament referendum, slated to be held later this year. Campaign organisers Yes23 said more than 10,000 people had registered their attendance.

Originally published as Thousands rally to take Voice from MPs