Noel Pearson says Indigenous voice referendum to parliament is last chance at reconciliation

Noel Pearson has been waiting 15-years for a vote on constitutional recognition. For the Indigenous leader, the referendum on October 14 is Australia’s last chance at getting reconciliation right.

Yes campaigner Noel Pearson. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Noel Pearson has been waiting 15 years for a vote on constitutional recognition. For the Indigenous leader, the referendum on October 14 is Australia’s last chance at getting reconciliation right.

Mr Pearson spoke at his 100th event of the referendum campaign, his voice thundering across an audience of lawyers and business figures on level 38 of Barangaroo in Sydney’s Circular Quay on Thursday.

Not a single person looked at their phone during Mr Pearson’s 24-minute speech, their eyes fastened on the Indigenous leader in his trademark fedora hat and a Vote Yes campaign T-shirt.

“I believe this is our one last chance to get reconciliation right,” he said.

“It may be that I’m wrong, maybe someone can imagine reconciliation can be premised on non-recognition.

“I’ll leave it to them. We’ll fight very hard over the next fortnight. This is a campaign that’s been 15 years in the making.”

Red and yellow Yes badges were pinned to suit jackets, while round woven earrings, purchased at the Garma Festival in the Northern Territory, hung from the earlobes of women.

Guests of the Jawun non-profit organisation, which was founded by Mr Pearson and seconds corporate employees to work with Indigenous communities, tucked into smoked Murray cod as they discussed why they would be voting yes on October 14.

Reasons included securing the future for Indigenous Australians, righting historical wrongs and achieving recognition.

From his pulpit, Mr Pearson attacked the media coverage of the proposed referendum, singling out News Corp and The Australian, as he accused the media of waging a co-ordinated campaign against the Yes side.

He said the proposed changes were as safe as houses, had been approved by former Coalition PM John Howard and advised by former chief justice of Australia Robert French.

Mr Pearson said he was incredulous the Australian people could vote no, describing the proposed amendment as modest and adding he couldn’t believe the nation would slap away the heart of friendship

“Is this country, that’s been here for 235 years, going to say no to the people who were here for 60,000?” he said.

“Is the country really going to say no to such a modest idea as proposed in this amendment? I cannot believe that. I cannot believe Australians would slap away the hand of friendship that the Uluru Statement from the Heart represents.

“That’s the refusal of belief that drives me everyday. I refuse to accept that that is an acceptable outcome.”

Mr Pearson said there were two weeks left in the referendum campaign and he would attempt to dispel the myths surrounding the voice, as he urged the audience to be strong for their children and vote yes.