Anthony Albanese rally's support for the voice at the Garma Festival
The prime minister Anthony Albanese has issued a call to arms to supporters of the voice at the garma festival in Arnhem land, promising not to defer or delay the vote. With polls suggesting support for the voice is ebbing away, the p-m has told supporters to "hold.... To the courage of their convictions".
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TVTranscript
00:00 Standing his ground.
00:02 The Prime Minister using his platform at Gama to confirm he won't delay in holding a referendum on an Indigenous voice to Parliament.
00:13 We will not abandon substance for symbolism or retreat to platitudes at the expense of progress.
00:21 The prospect of failure not a good enough reason to put off the national vote.
00:26 There are no guarantees of success but that's not a reason to delay.
00:31 It's why we have to hold to the courage of our convictions.
00:36 While the message of yes is clear here on Yolngu country, the challenge for campaigners is taking this grass roots sentiment to much more uncertain voters.
00:46 The PM's decision to hold back on announcing a date may give them some time to build momentum but it may also leave the no side room to gain a foothold.
00:54 Well if the no campaign had actually turned up at Gama this weekend they would have actually seen the very strong, the united voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
01:05 Festival organisers are disappointed representatives from the no campaign chose not to make the trip to Arnhem Land.
01:13 Yes the referendum will be something that will get backed in by this region but that will then continue to snowball after the event.
01:21 Using your influence to make sure that Australia does not lose the plot over this, it really is not worth that.
01:28 Those of us on the yes case need to address the concerns of those who doubt and those on the no case need to understand the aspirations of Indigenous Australians and others.
01:36 But don't expect any compromise on the proposal.
01:40 Not our sympathy, not a symbol but a vehicle for progress, a practical tool to make their children's lives better.
01:50 Hearing first hand from those whose lives he has promised to improve.
01:55 Do you believe us Indigenous people, Islander people and white people to work together and strive together not only for our next generations futures but to look forward as we believe that we can all work together.
02:09 And answering the hard questions.
02:12 Will you be speaking to the BTN people today?
02:15 Children are certainly front and centre here across the weekend and it's here on the ground that the future Yolngu leaders are learning from their elders.
02:23 With both culture and a long tradition of Indigenous advocacy being handed down to the next generation.
02:29 [BLANK_AUDIO]