Referendum voting to be conducted across the Narrabri shire

Polling centres will operate across the shire to enable voters to have their say on the Voice to Parliament referendum.

Three voting stations will be setup in Narrabri on referendum day to be held on Saturday, October 14.

Additional booths will operate across the region in Wee Waa, Boggabri, Pilliga, Bellata, Baan Baa and Burren Junction.

Early voting will be conducted at the Narrabri Aquatic Centre’s multi-purpose room in the week leading up to polling day.

The referendum is the first to be held in Australia in almost 20 years.

Voting in referendums is compulsory.

Voters will be asked to respond to a specific question relating to the recognition of Indigenous Australians in the constitution through a Voice to Parliament.

To assist in the voting process, the Australian Electoral Commission has distributed referendum information to voters detailing cases for both ‘yes’ and ‘no’ responses.

For the referendum to succeed, a double majority is required.

A national majority must vote ‘yes’ from all states and territories.

In addition, a majority of voters in at least four of the six states must also vote ‘yes’.

The proposed law, being the Constitution Alteration (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice) 2023, would change the Constitution by inserting the following text after Chapter VIII:

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:
(i) there shall be a body, to be called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice;
(ii) 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;
(iii) 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 proposed law would also change the Constitution by inserting the following text into the Table of Contents in the Constitution, after the reference to ‘Chapter VIII Alteration of the Constitution’:
Chapter IX Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples

Proponents for the Voice to Parliament argue a ‘yes’ vote will make a positive difference by recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the constitution while also listening to advice from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people about matters that affect their lives.

Voice to Parliament opponents, advocating for a ‘no’ vote, argue the change to the constitution is legally risky, with unknown consequences. Opponents says the Voice proposal would be divisive and permanent.

Voters have been reminded to write either ‘yes’ or ‘no’ on ballot papers next to the question ‘do you approve this proposed alteration?’.

On referendum night, all votes cast that day will be counted along with the majority of votes cast in the early voting period.

While there could be a public indication of a potential results on the night, if it is close it may take days or several weeks for additional pre-poll votes, overseas votes and postal votes to come back to the Australian Electoral Commission and be counted.