LISA MILLAR, HOST: The eyes of the nation will be on Adelaide this morning with the Prime Minister set to formally announce the date Australians will head to the polls for the voice referendum. A Saturday in mid-October is widely tipped to be the polling day, leaving just weeks for Australians to decide whether or not to enshrine an independent advisory body known as the voice to Parliament in the Constitution.
MICHAEL ROWLAND, HOST: South Australia is seen as a critical state in the path to victory for both campaigns. A majority vote nationally as well as in four of the six states is required for there to be change. The assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy, joins us now from Adelaide. Why Adelaide and in particular why the outer suburb of Elizabeth as well this morning?
MCCARTHY: South Australia is an important state but most of the states are for all of us in this referendum. Michael, I can speak personally though in terms of the Northern Territory. We've always had a very strong connection with South Australia. In fact, South Australia surrendered the Northern Territory to the Commonwealth in 1911. So there's significant relationships for us as Territorians with South Australia, but it's also the place where it was a free settler colony really if you think about it, it wasn't started like New South Wales. So these are important matters in terms of the constitutional issues, but also in terms of the voting here in South Australia. We call on all South Australians to support us with the Yes vote.
ROWLAND: Elizabeth is well and truly in the Adelaide suburbs, Minister, is this a concession the Yes campaign needs to do more to win the suburbs, not just in Adelaide but in every major city over.
MCCARTHY: The Yes campaign has always been clear from the start on this that this was always going to be a tough referendum. Referendums are not easy to win in this country and every vote counts right up till 6 pm. on referendum day.
ROWLAND: Has the Yes campaign, in your view, looking at the polls which you read as well as everybody else, the Yes campaign is behind. Is the Yes campaign a victim of its own I guess complacency at the start of all of this?
MCCARTHY: I've been out and about across the country, as have my colleagues, as have Yes campaigners. We are there door to door knocking. We are there talking to Australians everywhere from all walks of life. We see that this is an uphill battle. We have to keep going right up until the final moments of the referendum ballot. I feel that whatever we do, no matter how much or how long it would take, it was always going to be tough. I'm just excited, if I may say, Michael, that I'm just excited that we're on the cusp now of the prime minister announcing the date and I think that's a really important thing for all Australians, but in particular for people who've followed this for decades. People like Senator Pat Dodson, for example, who's been a fierce advocate for change in this country in a really peaceful and positive way through reconciliation. And I think of him, especially on this day, but also a lot of our elders who've passed, who've who've contributed to this journey. I do think this is a significant step in our country if we can say yes.
ROWLAND: Now, you're a passionate advocate for the case. The advocates for the no case are just as passionate. A lot of Australians, though, as you well know, have a lot on their minds at the moment. Cost of living front and centre. Are you concerned there'll be a fair amount of voter apathy heading towards the referendum?
MCCARTHY: Sure. Look, we're all very passionate. Whatever side we're on, what I would still call is for respect throughout this campaign in particular, as we go through the final weeks of it. I'm more passionate about democracy really, Michael, that we have the ability in our country to make decisions at the ballot box in a very peaceful way. And I think it's really important that we maintain that and the dignity of what that process is about. And I urge all Australians to use this opportunity, yes or no, use this opportunity to use your vote. You matter, you count. And let's do this and let's do this the right way.
ROWLAND: Speaking of no advocates, we just played a clip of the former prime minister, John Howard, before coming to you. He was on Sky News last night. He has accused companies like Qantas and sporting codes like the AFL both strong supporters of, in his words, bullying voters in Australia to vote yes. What do you say to that?
MCCARTHY: Well, it's really unfortunate to use those terms, especially from a former prime minister who did hold the leadership in this country for over a decade. And I think it's really quite disappointing to see that from the previous prime minister. I would just reach out to all Australians and say this: your vote is your vote when you go into that ballot box, only you know what you've said, whether it's yes, whether it's no. And I think all the commentary surrounding it is all about whether you need to vote in a particular way. And I think Australians are smarter than that. I think Australians know what matters and I do believe in my heart that what we're asking Australians from the Yes side is to support an advisory body, a voice to be enshrined in the Constitution, to enable First Nations people to lift our lives across this country, but also to have the place of respect in the Australian Constitution that recognises over 65,000 years of First Nations culture in this country.
ROWLAND: Minister, a very big day indeed. Appreciate your time this morning. Thank you.