August Newsletter: Referendum day 14 October |
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It’s official! The Referendum on the First Nations Voice to Parliament will be held on Saturday 14 October. Useful information on the Referendum: (Unclear WHY we’re having a referendum? Scan our June Newsletter for details.) Voting in referendums is compulsory for Australian citizens 18 years and over. If you, or someone you know is eligible to vote but not enrolled, they can enrol HERE. |
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Voting enrolments have ‘skyrocketed’ ahead of the Referendum. According to the Australian Electoral Commission, 97.5% of eligible Australians are enrolled to vote - the highest rate on record - with more Indigenous people and youth (18-24 year olds) enrolled than ever before. |
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However, more than 450,000 eligible Australians are NOT enrolled and could miss their chance to use their voice on referendum day. It’s not too late to enrol HERE |
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The ‘official referendum booklet’ is here (or on its way…). Haven’t received it? Spilled coffee on it? The dog ate it? Don’t worry the full pamphlet is online HERE and in a range of other languages HERE |
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Please note, as stated at the BACK of the pamphlet there is no legal requirement for the official YES and NO cases to be factually correct so the AEC is asking every voter to ‘stop and consider’
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The Guardian also recently fact checked the YES and NO pamphlets in detail. YES Pamphlet fact checked HERE NO Pamphlet fact checked HERE The Conversation (which describes itself as ‘the world’s leading publisher of research-based news and analysis’) also has a range of articles on the Voice HERE |
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Local events on the Voice to Parliament The Aboriginal Support Group Manly Warringah Pittwater held an event in Mona Vale this week. As reported in the Northern Beaches Advocate ‘... the discussion was always going to favour the Yes case, but did so in the most balanced and compelling way heard to date on the Northern Beaches.’
Email us at info@voicesofmackellar.org.au if you know of other local events coming up or if you have more questions.
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HELP US ENGAGE MORE AUSTRALIANS IN THEIR DEMOCRACY Voices of Mackellar is a not for profit organisation that is 100% funded by community donations and run by volunteers. If you would like to support our work, a donation would be greatly appreciated and will go towards administrative and advertising costs, as well as our upcoming events! We appreciate your generosity and could not do this work without your support. |
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" Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead, Cultural Anthropologist |
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Voices of Mackellar Let's do politics differently, together! |
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www.voicesofmackellar.org.au info@voicesofmackellar.org.au PO Box 165 Mona Vale 2103 If you would like to unsubscribe from Voices of Mackellar please email us info@voicesofmackellar.org.au |
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Voices of Mackellar acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we live and work on, the Garigal Clan of the Guringai People. We pay respects to their elders past, present and emerging, and acknowledge sovereignty was never ceded. |
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