PETER STEFANOVIC, HOST: Well, there's been another slump in support for the voice to Parliament, according to the latest Newspoll data that's out this morning. Let's go to Canberra. Joining us live is the Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy. Malarndirri, good to see you. Thanks for your time this morning. Yeah. Just on this new polling out now below 50% in every state. Is that a hard dose of reality after Garma?
MALARNDIRRI MCCARTHY: It's a hard fight all the way. We knew it from the get go. Referendums are so tough to win in this country. And what I've come back from Garma on Gulkula country with is there's still a sense of how much, certainly, First Nations people are urging us to keep going. And all those who do support the referendum are urging us to keep going. And that's what we're going to keep doing right up to 6 p.m. on the day of the ballot.
STEFANOVIC: Sure. I know you want to smile through it all and try and keep things positive.
MCCARTHY: No I'm serious, I'm really happy like this is genuine. Like we came away with so much strength from Garma and you know on Gulkula country and I say thank you to all of those people. So look, it is tough, Peter. I have no doubt about it. But I also realize that as you're talking to all Australians, as we go around, I've been traveling through jurisdictions, states, territories, You know, people want to see, what is it that we would achieve beyond the referendum? And I'm always happy to be talking about that.
STEFANOVIC: Okay. Well, I mean, I did want to ask you, I mean, on the point of trying to stay positive and forging ahead, there's no measure, though, that suggests that this referendum is in any way heading for success. So what is it that you're holding onto that gives you encouragement that all of those polls are wrong?
MCCARTHY: The flame of hope. We talk about it in a cultural sense. It's the fire that keeps burning in the hearts of those who hold a great deal of hope for goodness and for change in a direction that empowers the most disadvantaged. But also the fact that our country has a deep history and one that we want to share as First nations people. So it is hope. You know, that is the flame of hope that keeps me going. And I look at inspirational people. I mean, look at our Matildas, even you. I look at Hayley, she was lying flat on her back and then she scored the winning try to get into an amazing game for tonight. So I think hope and overcoming obstacles and being resilient is what keeps me going.
STEFANOVIC: Is one of those obstacles, the Prime Minister tying himself in knots when avoiding questions about treaties.
MCCARTHY: Well, the Prime Minister certainly had time with elders at Arnhem Land and reaffirmed our commitment. We've always said that we'd follow the Uluru Statement in full and that his voice, treaty, truth and he reaffirmed that commitment this weekend with the Elders. We know that winning any referendum is so tough and we have to stay focused on trying to win the voice of referendum.
STEFANOVIC: Okay, let's go to WA, where the vote is going backwards there as well. Do you support the scrapping of cultural heritage laws?
MCCARTHY: Well, that's clearly up to the West Australian Government. You know, these laws based on each jurisdiction and clearly if that's the direction they're going now for the reasons that they've seen matters to them, then obviously hopefully that will be good for the Western Australia. But I've only just come back from Arnhem Land, so I'm interested to actually have a deeper look at that one.
STEFANOVIC: Okay. I mean, could that be reversed if the voice fails?
MCCARTHY: I haven't had a good chance to actually have a look at what Western Australia has done, but clearly at a national level we do want to make sure each state and territory jurisdiction doesn't have another Juukan Gorge, for example, that occurred in Western Australia. It is important, you know, our cultural heritage is important not just for First Nations people but for all Australians.
STEFANOVIC: If the referendum does fail, how much damage does it do to the Prime Minister's credibility moving forward?
MCCARTHY: I look, I'm staying focused on the referendum, and I know people don't like me saying that, but I have to say this. You know, the referendum to me is a bit like preparing for a grand final. You've just got to stay focused on on the game ahead. And it's tough. You know, we have to get out right across the country. You've spoken about polls. Other people have spoken about polls. But we just keep going. And I will stay focused on that. And you can ask me all those questions the day after the referendum.
STEFANOVIC: Okay. Looking forward to the Matildas tonight I can see you've got the green and gold on.
MCCARTHY: Absolutely. And don't forget the netballers, how good was that.
STEFANOVIC: Of course, brilliant, brilliant. Malarndirri McCarthy, always good to chat. I'll talk to you again soon.