Voice campaign gets ugly as early voting begins
Special Minister of State Don Farrell has urged anyone who feels threatened during the voice referendum to contact police.
Special Minister of State Don Farrell has urged anyone who feels threatened during the voice referendum to contact police, as Yes and No campaigners trade barbs over which side has more extremists.
Ahead of pre-polling commencing on Monday, No campaigners have written to the Australian Electoral Commission complaining their volunteers were worried about their safety standing at booths.
But a Labor spokeswoman described the Advance Australia letter as a “cynical attempt by the No campaign to distract from the extreme and dangerous far-right influencers they’ve attracted”.
“If Advance Australia are aware of threatening or criminal behaviour they should report it to the police,” the spokeswoman said. “The No campaign only focus on creating fear, they offer no solutions and no progress.”
The Albanese government last week accused far-right influencers of hijacking the No campaign after a member of the Proud Boys and neo-Nazi Tom Sewell attended their rallies.
Senator Farrell said no one should feel unsafe on a polling booth. “Threats or intimidation towards anyone engaging in their democratic rights is completely unacceptable,” he said.
“Australia has a strong democracy and conducts elections and referenda in safety and security.
“If people that are engaging in democratic activity feel threatened they should contact the police.”
In the letter to the AEC, obtained by The Australian, Advance Australia executive director Matthew Sheahan raised concerns about No events being “marred by aggressive and, in some cases, violent protesters”.
Mr Sheahan asked the AEC to detail measures it was taking to protect volunteers on booths.
“The vitriol and hostility directed at our volunteers has been deeply unsettling,” he wrote.
“Many of our volunteers have conveyed … apprehensions about participating in the democratic process of pre-poll and election day campaigning, fearing potential confrontations with hostile individuals or groups of individuals.
“Such fears are antithetical to the democratic ethos of our country and our collective belief in the right to participate in the democratic process without fear or hindrance.”
A spokesman for the AEC said it had “engaged with law enforcement agencies regarding upcoming polling activities”.
With 1.5 million people so far applying to vote via post, pre-polling will begin on Monday in Victoria, Tasmania, Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Early voting will commence on Tuesday in NSW, Queensland, South Australia and the ACT.
The Australian understands the Yes campaign expects to “significantly outnumber” the No side with pre-poll volunteers, able to tap into the 50,000 people who signed up to support a constitutional voice.
Yes23 campaign director Dean Parkin said the voice would act as an “independent advisory committee that will give advice on matters affecting Indigenous Australians in areas such as education, health, housing and jobs”.
“I encourage Australians to look closely at the question they are being asked,” he said. “As early voting opens, Australians should be aware of the choice. A Yes vote is our best shot at better outcomes for Indigenous Australians … a No vote will mean more of the same.”
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