Thousands rally across Australia in support of Indigenous reform

SYDNEY - Thousands of people rallied in Australia on Sunday to back a campaign to recognise the country’s Indigenous people in the Constitution ahead of a referendum later in 2023, after a recent dip in support for the change.

The referendum, likely to be held between October and December, seeks to

amend the Constitution and establish an advisory body

– the Indigenous Voice to Parliament – to give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people a direct say in policies that impact them.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s centre-left Labor government backs the change, while the

opposition Liberal-National conservatives urge a “No” vote.

On Sunday, an Australian Council of Social Service tweet showed Sydney rally attendees in T-shirts with the words “Vote Yes” and caps with the words “The Uluru Statement”, referring to a key document that calls for an Indigenous Voice.

One rallygoer, Mr Jason Howard, said the event was “a great opportunity for all Australians to get behind something that’s going to make this country better”. 

Another attendee, Ms Isabelle Smith, said in her opinion the referendum was the most important issue in Australia. “It’ll bring Australians together and I think voting ‘Yes’ is the most important thing that people can do.”

Yes23, the group behind more than 25 rallies nationwide, told Reuters the crowd in Sydney was around 3,000 and that it expected up to 25,000 people in total.

“These community events are opportunities for people to come together and gain valuable information about the importance of a successful referendum later this year,” Yes23 campaign director Dean Parkin said in a statement.

The day of action comes after support for the referendum appeared to be ebbing, with a poll in June showing “No” ahead for the first time, 51 per cent to 49 per cent.

Opponents, including some Indigenous people, have said the proposal lacks detail and will divide Australians.

“We do not really focus on the polls, what we focus on is the work that is involved in getting out and talking to people,” Yes23 director Rachel Perkins told ABC television on Sunday.

Indigenous communities in Australia, who account for 3.8 per cent of the population, face disadvantages, including discrimination, poor health and education outcomes and high incarceration rates. REUTERS