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Indigenous voice advocates to ramp up yes campaign amid concern over slipping poll numbers Indigenous voice advocates to ramp up yes campaign amid concern over slipping poll numbers
(2 months later)
Advertising blitz and Australia-wide public events will seek to reinvigorate support and shift attention from parliamentary arenaAdvertising blitz and Australia-wide public events will seek to reinvigorate support and shift attention from parliamentary arena
The yes campaign is gearing up for a fresh advertising blitz and will roll out a series of nationwide public events, in a bid to reinvigorate support for the Indigenous voice and shift attention away from the parliamentary arena.The yes campaign is gearing up for a fresh advertising blitz and will roll out a series of nationwide public events, in a bid to reinvigorate support for the Indigenous voice and shift attention away from the parliamentary arena.
The Yes23 campaign will hold large gatherings at the start of Naidoc Week, with leaders believing support will rise quickly once the voice debate shifts beyond Canberra.The Yes23 campaign will hold large gatherings at the start of Naidoc Week, with leaders believing support will rise quickly once the voice debate shifts beyond Canberra.
The campaign’s looming acceleration is welcomed by longtime voice supporters and senior Labor government figures, as some privately raise concerns about slipping poll numbers and the no campaign’s growing volume.The campaign’s looming acceleration is welcomed by longtime voice supporters and senior Labor government figures, as some privately raise concerns about slipping poll numbers and the no campaign’s growing volume.
Guardian Australia this week spoke to numerous sources among government and yes campaigners, who requested anonymity to speak freely. Most were strongly optimistic the referendum would succeed, but several were worried the current messaging from the government and the campaign was falling flat.Guardian Australia this week spoke to numerous sources among government and yes campaigners, who requested anonymity to speak freely. Most were strongly optimistic the referendum would succeed, but several were worried the current messaging from the government and the campaign was falling flat.
The government expects the constitutional alteration bill to pass the Senate on 21 June. The yes campaign has been waiting for the bill’s passage to activate its next phase, and will launch a dozen Come Together For Yes events on 2 July. The gatherings – to be held at Sydney’s Prince Alfred Park, Melbourne’s Trades Hall and Brisbane’s Emma Miller Place – will be family-friendly community events with entertainment, food and speakers.The government expects the constitutional alteration bill to pass the Senate on 21 June. The yes campaign has been waiting for the bill’s passage to activate its next phase, and will launch a dozen Come Together For Yes events on 2 July. The gatherings – to be held at Sydney’s Prince Alfred Park, Melbourne’s Trades Hall and Brisbane’s Emma Miller Place – will be family-friendly community events with entertainment, food and speakers.
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The campaign will also launch new advertising and is preparing further infrastructure, a campaign headquarters, plus more staff and spokespeople. Yes23, led by Quandamooka man Dean Parkin, recently added several Liberal campaign operatives to its team.The campaign will also launch new advertising and is preparing further infrastructure, a campaign headquarters, plus more staff and spokespeople. Yes23, led by Quandamooka man Dean Parkin, recently added several Liberal campaign operatives to its team.
Yes campaigners have been anxious for the debate to leave parliament and begin the “community process”, their strategy heavily based on small group conversations. There is concern that the parliamentary process, focused largely on potential negatives of the voice from a small number of critics, has been “alienating” for voters recently switching on to the referendum.Yes campaigners have been anxious for the debate to leave parliament and begin the “community process”, their strategy heavily based on small group conversations. There is concern that the parliamentary process, focused largely on potential negatives of the voice from a small number of critics, has been “alienating” for voters recently switching on to the referendum.
Campaigners hope support will increase after endorsements from elite sporting codes, major businesses, charities, Indigenous organisations and traditional owner groups. On Friday, four Northern Territory Aboriginal land councils issued the Barunga Voice Declaration, endorsing the referendum.Campaigners hope support will increase after endorsements from elite sporting codes, major businesses, charities, Indigenous organisations and traditional owner groups. On Friday, four Northern Territory Aboriginal land councils issued the Barunga Voice Declaration, endorsing the referendum.
But some voice supporters have queried why the yes campaign hadn’t revved up earlier, concerned that key messages from the no campaign may have become entrenched among undecided voters.But some voice supporters have queried why the yes campaign hadn’t revved up earlier, concerned that key messages from the no campaign may have become entrenched among undecided voters.
Backers are anxious to see the campaign deliver a resounding yes vote, with some fearing a major social fracturing developing in Australia if the result is tight.Backers are anxious to see the campaign deliver a resounding yes vote, with some fearing a major social fracturing developing in Australia if the result is tight.
Some queried why there hadn’t been a more forceful response to slipping poll numbers. The no campaign emailed supporters this week, trumpeting “polls are getting closer”.Some queried why there hadn’t been a more forceful response to slipping poll numbers. The no campaign emailed supporters this week, trumpeting “polls are getting closer”.
Yes still leads in all published polls; the yes campaign says its internal polling is more positive than public numbers, and believes its strategy is paying dividends. It is also buoyed by a newly launched Liberals for Yes group, headed by the former ACT chief minister Kate Carnell, alongside federal MPs Julian Leeser and Bridget Archer.Yes still leads in all published polls; the yes campaign says its internal polling is more positive than public numbers, and believes its strategy is paying dividends. It is also buoyed by a newly launched Liberals for Yes group, headed by the former ACT chief minister Kate Carnell, alongside federal MPs Julian Leeser and Bridget Archer.
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The no side will be supplemented by a Liberals for No group, headed by senators Jono Duniam and Kerrynne Liddle.The no side will be supplemented by a Liberals for No group, headed by senators Jono Duniam and Kerrynne Liddle.
Government sources were looking forward to the campaign unveiling an ad blitz, saying a major public push was key to winning widespread support.Government sources were looking forward to the campaign unveiling an ad blitz, saying a major public push was key to winning widespread support.
Thomas Mayo, a Kaurareg and Kalkalgal Erubamle man, and key public face of the yes campaign, has crisscrossed the country on speaking tours and to promote The Voice to Parliament Handbook he co-wrote with journalist Kerry O’Brien. He felt momentum for the campaign, and the voice, was only growing.Thomas Mayo, a Kaurareg and Kalkalgal Erubamle man, and key public face of the yes campaign, has crisscrossed the country on speaking tours and to promote The Voice to Parliament Handbook he co-wrote with journalist Kerry O’Brien. He felt momentum for the campaign, and the voice, was only growing.
“It’s now up to the Australian people to win this. We’re not relying on the media, not relying on politicians, we’re not going to rely on Indigenous people alone, on non-Indigenous people alone,” Mayo said.“It’s now up to the Australian people to win this. We’re not relying on the media, not relying on politicians, we’re not going to rely on Indigenous people alone, on non-Indigenous people alone,” Mayo said.
“It will be all of us pulling together, having a go, taking other Australians by the hand and bringing them with us. That’s the only way to win a referendum.”“It will be all of us pulling together, having a go, taking other Australians by the hand and bringing them with us. That’s the only way to win a referendum.”