Labor and the Coalition have come to an agreement to revise referendum conduct laws ahead of the vote on a Voice to Parliament. 

The deal pushes the Greens and Senate crossbench to the sidelines in the first major legislation on the Voice to Parliament. 

Reports say the deal paves the way for Liberal and Nationals MPs to vote for the machinery bill in the Senate later in the day. 

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Special Minister of State Don Farrell had been pushing for a bipartisan agreement with Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and shadow minister Jane Hume.

Under the agreement, Labor has agreed to publish an official pamphlet as part of the lead-up to the national vote expected around October. 

However, Coalition demands for official Yes and No campaigns and equal public funding for both sides have not been agreed to.

The government believes bipartisan support for the Voice will improve its chances of winning the required referendum double majority (support by the majority of voters and a majority of states).

An Essential poll published on Tuesday put support for the Voice at 59 per cent, down from 65 per cent in August last year. Opposition to the plan was 41 per cent, up from 35 per cent in the same period.

The Liberal-Labor deal comes as the government’s expert working group holds its final meeting this week, ahead of presenting draft constitutional changes and a draft question for voters to the government.

Prime Minister Albanese revealed the wording of the upcoming referendum question on the Voice to Parliament. 

Albanese, standing alongside the Referendum Working Group, said the question would be: "A Proposed Law: To alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. Do you approve this proposed alteration?"

“The Voice will help governments and parliaments make better decisions and achieve better outcomes,” Mr Albanese said. 

He added that the Voice would not in any way supplant parliament as a decision-making body but would give independent advice on issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The members of the Voice will be chosen by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities rather than imposed by the government. 

It will be representative, with a gender balance, members from every state and territory, and specific representatives of remote communities. It will also be “transparent and accountable”.

Senator Patrick Dodson stated that the referendum would require the support of “all Australians”.

“We need your help for all Australians to see the significance of this moment, with this level of unity here, this level of magnanimity, that we as Australians can arise to a better relationship with our First Peoples,” he said. 

Indigenous Affairs Minister Linda Burney called the progress historic, saying that; “Recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Constitution will be a simple but powerful act”. 

The Voice referendum will be held later this year. 

While Albanese acknowledged the risk that the referendum could fail, he stated that the true defeat would come if the vote was not held at all. 

“If you were just about, you know, positioning on politics as usual, I might not do this,” he said. 

“But the people here can't wait. They can't. They've waited so long.”


The referendum question

A proposed law: To alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.

Do you approve this proposed alteration?

The proposed addition to the Constitution

Chapter IX Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples

129 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice

In recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia:

1. There shall be a body, to be called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice;

2. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice may make representations to the Parliament and the Executive Government of the Commonwealth on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples;

3. The Parliament shall, subject to this Constitution, have power to make laws with respect to matters relating to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice, including its composition, functions, powers and procedures."

The principles of the Voice

The Voice will adhere to eight principles, Wirdi man and working group member Tony McAvoy, KC, said.

1. The Voice will give independent advice to parliament and government.

2. The Voice will be chosen by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people based on the wishes of local communities.

3. The Voice will be representative of Indigenous communities, with a gender balance and youth.

4. The Voice will be empowering, community-led, inclusive, respectful, and culturally informed.

5. The Voice will be accountable and transparent.

6. The Voice will work alongside existing organisations and traditional structures.

7. The Voice will not have a program delivery function.

8. The Voice will not have a veto power.