Australian Prime Minister Announces Final Wording for Indigenous Voice to Parliament Referendum

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Thursday, March 23, released the final wording of a referendum on whether Australia should have a permanent, independent body to advise parliament and government on views of the Indigenous population.

In a press conference, an emotional Albanese said a representative body promoting Indigenous views on national policies was needed to overcome Indigenous disadvantage.

“The question that Australians will be asked at this year’s referendum is a very simple one,” Albanese said. “It will read: a proposed law to alter the constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voice. Do you approve this proposed alteration?”

The referendum will be held some time between October and December. Credit: Anthony Albanese via Storyful

Video transcript

ANTHONY ALBANESE: I want to thank sincerely all the members of the working group and all who have engaged with them. The many-- this moment has been a very long time in the making, yet they have shown such patience and optimism through this process. And that spirit of cooperation and thoughtful, respectful dialogue has been so important at arriving at this point in such a united fashion.

The question that Australians will be asked at this year's referendum is a very simple one. It will read, a proposed law to alter the Constitution, to recognize the first peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voice. Do you approve this proposed alteration? That's the question before the Australian people. Nothing more, but nothing less.