Yes Campaign lead Noel Pearson says Gold Coast faith communities ‘key’ for The Voice

As polling reveals plummeting support for an Indigenous Voice to parliament, Yes Campaign leader Noel Pearson says faith communities will be the key to success. Read the story

Indigenous leader Noel Pearson at the Gold Coast mosque at Southport to talk about the referendum.Picture Glenn Hampson

Noel Pearson, co-architect of The Voice, has reached out to Gold Coast faith communities calling them to be part of a “new, equal, Australia”.

The Yes Campaign has been touring the country visiting temples, churches and mosques in a bid to reach undecided voters.

On Friday, Mr Pearson was invited to speak at the Southport Mosque ahead of the Friday prayer, greeting dozens of local Muslims in Arabic as they walked through the doors and joining them for lunch once the prayer had ended.

Mr Pearson said having a constitutionally recognised Voice to parliament would benefit all Australians.

Indigenous leader Noel Pearson at the Gold Coast mosque at Southport to talk about the referendum.Picture Glenn Hampson

“The referendum is an important opportunity for all of us – when you recognise us, we recognise you,” he said.

“With this vote we will recognise First Nations peoples as the foundation stone of this nation. “We will recognise the British institutions and our great multicultural triumph.”

Soon Australians will vote to constitute a representative advisory body – The Voice – which will work to consult with federal government on policies and matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The referendum is widely expected to be held on October 14, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese set to confirm a date by the end of the month.

While polling suggests support for a Voice has declined in almost every state, Mr Pearson said reaching out to faith communities would be the “key” to changing the tide.

Mr Pearson said he believed the Muslim community could understand the “plight” of Australia’s Indigenous peoples.

“I think (Muslims) understand our plight, our struggle and the alienation we experience in our own country,” he said.

“We share the values of social justice of equality and peace.

“The Voice is about Australia – it’s about how Indigenous peoples, how Anglo-Australians and multicultural Australians all fit together.”

No Campaign leaders including Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price have criticised The Voice as dividing Australians on the basis of race.

Speaking to Sky News Ms Price said: “(This is) about the opportunity to damage our democracy by making a huge change to our constitution for the benefit of a handful of people.”

However, leaders from the Southport Mosque said The Voice was a “step in the right direction”.

“We encourage Muslims to reflect on (our own) history of colonial intrusion to gain a deeper understanding and empathy,” a spokesman said.

Mr Pearson added: “My goal is to see all Australians sitting around the circle, all as equal Australians.”

“I want the children of the future to feel that the Indigenous heritage of the country is part of their story. (It) is part of the Australian identity.”

Originally published as Yes Campaign lead Noel Pearson says Gold Coast faith communities ‘key’ for The Voice