Yes campaign turns to everyday Indigenous Australias ahead of voice to parliament vote

The Yes campaign will be turning to everyday Australians in a bid to encourage support of the referendum on the Indigenous voice to parliament.

These are the faces of everyday Indigenous Australians that the Yes campaign will increasingly lean on to encourage support of the voice to parliament referendum.

The artwork, obtained by news.com.au, is a first look at the Yes campaign’s new messaging and includes Indigenous Australians from remote communities including East Kimberley and Hope Vale.

“Clearly people want to be confident that a voice will make a practical difference. The Yes campaign will be sharing the stories of Indigenous people who have benefited from consultation and seen the practical impacts – and also the stories of where lack of consultation has failed communities,” a Yes 23 campaign spokesperson told news.com.au.

“Everyone’s vote can make a difference in updating our 122-year-old Constitution to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through the practical mechanism of the voice.”

The campaign would be directing its focus on those in remote communities highlighting practical change in practical areas such as jobs, education and health.

“Australians want to be confident that voting Yes supports the hopes and aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and aligns with their views,” the spokesperson said.

“We recently saw with the gathering at Barunga where community leaders representing some of the most remote communities in the country came together to show their support for Yes, and sent a message to the parliament asking for national support for a positive outcome.”

Peter Thomas features in an example of the campaign’s messaging.

Peter Thomas from East Kimberly, in northern Western Australia, appeared on one flyer obtained by news.com.au.

A quote from him read, “It’s time to be recognised. Please vote Yes. We need to be heard. That’s all we’ve been waiting for so long”.

Meanwhile Doreen Hart, from Queensland’s remote region Hope Vale, also features and encourages Australians to vote Yes.

“We have always lobbied and tried to empower our people to take responsibility for their actions. But sometimes the system lets us down,” a quote from her read.

Another Indigenous face in the Yes campaign was Phyllis Yunkaporta from Aurukun in Cape York, Far North Queensland, who argued a Voice to parliament would allow Aboriginal people to be better heard.

“Those people in Canberra they hardly know anything. They’re good with reading and writing and ticking boxes … they don’t come to the community to see the struggles we face,” she said.

“So what we really need today is a voice to be heard in parliament, and vote Yes. That’s the best thing that can ever happen.”

New messaging focused on Indigenous Australians from remote communities.

The Yes campaign has revealed the new direction of its messaging.

With polling showing Voice support has fallen in recent months, the campaign has decided to concentrate its efforts on using the voices of ordinary Indigenous Australians to explain the benefits instead of high-profile endorsements.

It had reportedly recruited Indigenous figures including Olympian Cathy Freeman, footballers Johnathan Thurston and Adam Goodes, tennis legends Evonne Goolagong-Cawley and Ash Barty, and NBA icon Patty Mills.

The big names were expected to still play a role in convincing the nation to vote Yes however it would be less significant than first planned.

The pull back was in response to concern the messaging from celebrities would backfire and have the opposite effect to the desired outcome.

Board member of Australians for Indigenous Constitutional Recognition, Tanya Hosch, was cognisant of the uphill battle the Yes campaign would likely face in the coming months.

“Obviously we have a huge job in front of us – I don’t think anyone should question our resolve but this is no easy task,” she said.

The referendum, which would enshrine the advisory body in the constitution, will be held between October and December.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stressed last month the referendum was a “once-in-a-generation opportunity to make a positive change” that would outlast Australians.

“It will not take away anything from our 122-year-old democracy. Instead, as the Solicitor-General has clearly stated, it will enhance our democracy,” he said.

“It is a small investment with such a great return. None of us has anything to lose. But we have something wonderful and so very real to gain.

“And with a Yes vote, it will lift us all.”

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