Prime Minister said referendum would be held between October and December

Anthony Albanese has dropped a fresh hint on when Australians might vote on the Voice to Parliament referendum.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the Voice referendum will be held “sometime” between October and December - but has refused to set a specific date.

Speaking on Sky News on Monday afternoon, the Prime Minister said Australians “don’t like long political campaigns,” and also ruled out stipulating a date for the referendum at next month’s Garma Festival.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the referendum will be held “sometime” between October and December. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“There certainly doesn’t need to be that very long campaign, and once a date’s announced then it will be a campaign in ernest,” Mr Albanese said.

“I don’t think Australians appreciate very long campaigns - that’s been the case in the past,” he said.

Mr Albanese said the typical campaign length of five to six weeks was “appropriate” for the Voice.

Regarding Monday’s Newspoll, which showed support for the Voice falling to just 41 per cent, Mr Albanese denied the Yes case was doomed.

“I’m confident a majority of Australians in a majority of states will vote yes,” he said.

“I have faith in the Australian people - they know that we need to do better on indigenous affairs.

“Is an eight year life expectancy gap still acceptable? Is it acceptable that a young indigenous male has more chance of going to jail than university?”

But Mr Albanese acknowledged that the Yes campaign had not been perfect.

“The Yes campaign needs to be stronger in putting the case because we know that referendums in Australia have been difficult to pass,” he said.

Mr Albanese said the task was made more difficult because of the Coalition’s opposition, led by Peter Dutton, who he accused of “carping negativity” and mirroring the tactics of former Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

Mr Albanese said the task faced by the Yes campaign had been made more difficult because of the Coalition’s opposition, led by Peter Dutton (pictured). Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“Peter Dutton is just full of relentless negativity,” he said.

“It is from the Tony Abbott play book.”

Pressed on whether the tactic was nonetheless successful, Mr Albanese said: “How well did it work for the functioning of the government that came in?

“Tony Abbott didn’t last for two years as Prime Minister.”

Deadlines for the official Yes and No cases to be lodged with the Australian Electoral Commission are due on Monday.