Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Hansard source

The government took to the last election the proposition that we would put a referendum to the Australian people on the issue of whether there should be a recognition of a voice in the federal parliament to Indigenous Australians. The government won the election, and we are carrying through on that promise to the Australian people. In the process, we are seeking advice on the nature of the question that should be put to the Australian people to determine that issue and a range of other issues around that. But once this legislation passes, and the subsequent legislation to deal with that question, then, of course, we are leaving it to the Australian people, either the people who want to vote yes or people who want to vote to no, to run that case, or present the arguments to the Australian people. At some time later in the year—the Prime Minister has said in the second half of the year—there will in fact be a referendum. People will be able to make a choice—yes or no—for Indigenous recognition. I, for one, will be voting yes.