Australian PM Faces Pressure As Public Support for The Voice Falls

Political pressure is growing on the Albanese government over the Indigenous Voice to Parliament as polls show public support falling.

According to a Resolve Strategic Survey that interviewed 1,606 voters, support for enshrining changing the Australian constitution has fallen to 49 percent, down from 53 percent in May, reports The Sydney Morning Herald.

This is the third month in a row of falling support for The Voice, with the “No” case now leading in the states of Queensland, Western Australia, and South Australia.

The results come after The Australian newspaper’s Newspoll survey from June 4 showed only 46 percent of voters approve of ­altering the Constitution, while 43 percent said they would vote “no”—11 percent remain undecided.

It comes as scrutiny builds on the prime minister over his handling of The Voice proposal, with Shadow Defence Minister Andrew Hastie asking why the Australian leader did not try to develop a parliamentary consensus or refine the wording.

The Voice proposal involves changes to the preamble of the Constitution to include recognition for Indigenous peoples and to also embed an Indigenous advisory body into the Parliament.

Hastie also said the Labor government only allowed six weeks for public submissions, hearings, and a final report to be completed.

“The truth is that Labor has stacked the deck for the Yes campaign at every turn. This is not democratic. Nor respectful of the Australian people. It casts a shadow over this whole referendum,” Hastie said.

“If this referendum fails, all the ensuing heartache belongs to the prime minister,” Hastie said.  “He has not drawn the country together, which is the special task expected of a national leader.”

Opposition Calls for Unity Over Division

Hastie warned of more division from the current proposal.

“When we consider Labor’s Voice, we must also balance it against the interests and welfare of every other Australian—including the many first-generation migrants who have chosen Australia as their home,” he told Parliament on May 30.

“Sadly, I think Labor’s Voice undermines equality before the law—that very principle which is the great attraction for many migrants to our ancient land,” he said. “This Voice—while well-intentioned—will only entrench division.”

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said he would support a change to the Constitution’s preamble, but said there was a lack of information on the implications of the advisory body.

“People can vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ in The Voice, that will be entirely their decision, but they’re asking from the prime minister that they just be given the facts,” he said.

“The reality is that the design of The Voice doesn’t start until the Monday after the Saturday—after the vote’s taken place.

“I think a lot of people are scratching their heads as to why that would be the case. They want to know whether it’s going to improve the lives of Indigenous Australians, whether it’s going to be a practical body where those solutions can be found quickly, or whether it’s just going to be another layer of bureaucracy.”

500 Groups Back The Voice, Advocates Say

Meanwhile, the Yes campaign group, Yes 23, says support continues to grow with 500 organisations backing The Voice.

Yes 23 Campaign Director Dean Parkin said (pdf) on June 13 that it was proof that grassroots momentum was strong.

“This is about bringing all Australians together. We are building a positive movement that includes people from all walks of life,” Parkin said.

“We continue to hit the phones, streets, and events to encourage more organisations and everyday Australians to get behind this referendum that will deliver practical change for Indigenous people.”