Albanese makes big call on Voice referendum

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has made a major announcement in the face of calls to delay the Voice to Parliament referendum.

Anthony Albanese will vow not to delay the Voice to parliament referendum and pledge to hold it this year, despite calls to defer the historic vote.

In a milestone speech delivered at the Garma Festival in Gulkula in north East Arnhem Land on Saturday, Mr Albanese outlined why he will reject overtures to delay the referendum, describing it as a matter of urgency for First Nations people.

“And that is why today I can promise all of you, and all Australians, there will be no delaying or deferring of this referendum. We will not deny the urgency of this moment,” he said.

“We will not kick the can down the road, we will not abandon substance for symbolism or retreat to platitudes at the expense of progress.”

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese gave a rousing address at Garman Festival. Photo: Tamati Smith/Getty Images.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has vowed not to delay the Voice referendum. Photo: Tamati Smith/Getty Images.

Recent polling has shown that the “No” vote has trended upward over the last several months.

The “Yes” vote has begun to mobilise its campaign, with teams of volunteers to this weekend doorknock thousands of households across every state and territory.

Recently, Pro-voice Liberal MP Andrew Bragg called for the referendum to be delayed.

The Prime Minister received a standing ovation on Saturday, telling the crowd that there was no such thing as a “foregone conclusion” or any guarantees of success.

However, he highlighted gaps in life expectancy, suicide rates, and rates of disease as reasons for holding the referendum as soon as possible.

He accused the “No” campaign of being “desperate to talk about anything” but the problems facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

“An eight year gap in life expectancy in the land of the fair go,” he said.

“The suicide rate twice as high in the lucky country.

“Shocking rates of disease in a nation with some of the world’s best healthcare.

“Only four out of 19 closing the gap targets on track.

“Surely no leader can honestly say that is good enough. Surely no leader can say ‘it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’. Surely no leader can imagine change is not desperately and urgently needed.”

Anthony Albanese accused the “no” camp of not addressing the issues facing First Nation peoples. Photo: Tamati Smith/Getty Images.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is attending the Garma festival. Photo: Tamati Smith/Getty Images.

Mr Albanese did not confirm the date for the referendum in his speech, although Australians are expected to have their say between September and December in the first referendum of this century.

He has previously ruled out holding it on AFL grand final day on September 30 or NRL grand final day on October 1.

The Prime Minsiter was critical of the “No” camp and, in particular Liberal leader Peter Dutton, who has called for legislated constitutional recognition rather than enshrining the Voice in the constitution.

He accused the Opposition of confecting outrage and failing to address the key issues.

“Clearly they acknowledge that a Voice is needed, otherwise why legislate it?” Mr Albanese said.

“Clearly they recognise it will make a positive difference, otherwise why legislate it?

“Clearly they don’t see it as divisive or radical or any of the other noise and confusion they are seeking to inject into this referendum, otherwise why legislate it?

Originally published as Albanese makes big call on Voice referendum