Thanks and memories from Anthony Albanese to Indigenous leader Galarrwuy Yunupingu

Anthony Albanese gave a phone briefing to Gumatj clan leader Galarrwuy Yunupingu on the voice, thanking the giant of the Indigenous rights movement.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with Yothu Yindi Foundation Chair Galarrwuy Yunupingu at last year’s Garma Festival. Picture: AAP Image/Aaron Bunch

Anthony Albanese gave a personal phone briefing to Gumatj clan leader Galarrwuy Yunupingu on the voice, thanking the giant of the Indigenous rights movement who was not well enough to travel to Canberra for negotiations on the constitutional amendment.

Dr Yunupingu took the Prime Minister’s phonecall at his home at Gunyangara in northeast Arnhem Land, where those close to the 74-year-old say he is seriously ill but comfortable.

Dr Yunupingu was surrounded by his brothers, his daughter and Gumatj artefacts and artworks depicting his totems of Gurtha (fire), Yunupingu (rock) and Baru (saltwater crocodile) when Mr Albanese phoned on Thursday.

Those in the room with Dr ­Yunupingu were moved by the conversation between the two leaders. The men discussed their conversation last July when Mr Albanese announced a draft constitutional amendment at Dr ­Yunupingu’s annual Garma festival. Afterwards, in a conversation overheard by people seated nearby, Dr Yunupingu asked Mr Albanese if he was serious about taking Australians to a referendum. Mr Albanese replied that he was.

On Thursday when the Prime Minister phoned him, Dr Yun­upingu recalled that exchange and said: “You were truthful”. Dr Yunupingu’s long experience as an advocate for his people began at just 15 when, in 1963, he helped draft the Yirrkala Bark ­Petitions. Then, between 1968 and 1971, he was a court interpreter in the Gove land rights case that resulted in the first land rights legislation in Australia.

For almost 16 years, Dr ­Yunupingu has pursued a change to the constitution that recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

On this, his key collaboration has been with Cape York Institute founder Noel Pearson, Indigenous researcher and leader Marcia Langton and prime ministers.

Dr Yunupingu is a member of the referendum working group that has worked since last September on the words of the proposed constitutional amendment to guarantee the voice and the question Australians will be asked on referendum day sometime late this year.

Poor health has prevented him from attending meetings, but The Weekend Australian has been told he has remained informed and engaged.

A delegation of six from that group reached agreement on the words of the proposed constitutional amendment in lengthy meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday with Mr Albanese, Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney, Senator Pat Dodson and Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus.

The referendum bill, containing the proposed amendment, is expected to be introduced into parliament next Thursday.