THE SQUIZ
The rules on how the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum will be managed later this year has bipartisan support after the Albanese Government and the Coalition reached an agreement yesterday. This relates to the technical details of how the referendum will be run, with the major parties coming together to change the ‘machinery bill’ to bring referendum votes more in line with how federal elections go down. Pundits say passing the legislation is an important step because, in the grand scheme of things, a vote on the Voice isn’t far away.

SO WHERE’S THE VOICE AT?
That’s a good question because the question on adopting an Indigenous Voice also requires legislation… Long story short, the referendum working group – the people advising the government on the wording – is finalising its advice. Yesterday, the group said it was “so close” to nailing it, and reports this morning say the referendum question and the constitutional amendment could be unveiled as soon as today. That would likely see the parliamentary bill that underpins this referendum introduced to the parliament next week. And if you’re still with us after that, now for the politics… The Nationals don’t support the Voice, no matter the proposal’s wording. The Liberals haven’t decided on its position – that’s something reports say they’ll consider at a party room meeting next week.

BUT THE COALITION’S HAPPY FOR THE REFERENDUM TO GO AHEAD, RIGHT?
Well, not everyone in the Coalition… Northern Territory Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price – a ‘no’ campaign supporter – isn’t happy with the deal Coalition leader Peter Dutton’s done on the ‘machinery’ bill, which includes the distribution of ‘neutral’ information in the lead-up to the vote. She wants the government to fund separate ‘yes’ and ‘no’ campaigns, and she’s prepared to split from her colleagues if it doesn’t happen. “For me, it is very close to home, and so that’s why I’ll be taking the position that I choose to take when the time comes,” she said. But Dutton continues to call for more details on the substance of the proposed constitutional change. Reports say Albanese and Special Minister of State Don Farrell are keen to get the Coalition onboard for as many steps along the journey because they believe it will ultimately help secure the double majority needed to get the Voice approved. That is, it requires support from a majority of voters and a majority of states.