Divided on its core message to Australians, the movement to establish an Indigenous Voice is facing its toughest moment.
Under pressure to take control of the campaign as his government’s focus is necessarily fixated on the gloomy economy, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese faces questions about his referendum pursuit that some Labor figures consider an uncharacteristic electoral risk, testing his political judgment and rhetorical ability to carry a complex reform.
In the period leading up to polling day , proponents are banking on voters – many of whom are disengaged and will still be forming their opinions – returning to a simple value judgment on whether they think voting Yes is the right thing to do.
Yes23 will shortly move into a Sydney office that will operate similarly to a political party campaign unit. Conversations in weekly meetings of top Yes23 staff – including Liberal operatives Simon Frost and Benn Ayre, campaign director Dean Parkin, unionist Kara Keys and state-based field organisers – now reflect a sense that the national operation is ready to launch from the first of July.
No thought is yet being given within Labor circles to pulling the referendum or radically redrawing it,. Some MPs and Labor hardheads calculate that a referendum loss may dent Albanese’s authority but would not be disastrous for his government. Others worry it could be more severe for the prime minister and have a chilling effect on other ambitious agenda items.
A more centralised guiding force could help the Yes campaign overcome the divisions that have opened up over its messagingInfluenced strongly by the advice of storied Liberal-aligned polling firm CT Group , Yes23 wants to focus its message on constitutional recognition, which its research shows is more widely supported and easily understood that the Voice advisory body.
“The Yes campaign has plenty of time and money to turn it around but unless they make some messaging and structural changes with their narrow casting, they are going to keep losing altitude.” Dr Andrew Hughes, a political marketing expert at the ANU, said the Yes campaign was off to a “terrible” start and had failed to counter what he called the dis- and misinformation of No advocates.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Yes23 campaign director not concerned about latest Voice polling figuresCampaign Director of Yes 23 Dean Parkin has stressed the importance of moving the Indigenous Voice to Parliament discussion away from politics and on the ground to the people.
Read more »
Debate on the Voice ‘is just starting’ in communities across AustraliaYes23 Campaign Director Dean Parkin says he thinks the debate on the Voice to Parliament is just starting in the communities across Australia. Mr Parkin’s remarks come after the latest polling out of the Resolve Political Monitor in the Sydney Morning Herald showed support for the Voice has fallen below majority. “On the same day, there was a … poll released in The Guardian that said that the numbers were 60 per cent in favour and 40 per cent against,” Mr Parkin told Sky News host Chris Kenny. “We always knew that this was going to be a challenge; winning referendums in our country is very difficult, but we’re just focused on getting out and making sure that more Australians are getting involved in the conversation.”
Read more »
AI used for John Lennon’s voice in ‘last Beatles record’The Beatles bassist and key songwriter Paul McCartney has revealed his thoughts on artificial intelligence, understanding it can be beneficial for the future although it still remains “kinda scary”.
Read more »
Leeser says Voice will close gap that's 'just not closing'Liberal MP Julian Leeser has continued to push strongly for an Indigenous Voice to Parliament stressing it is a necessary measure to improve life outcomes for First Nations people which are currently highly threatened.
Read more »