THE INDIGENOUS VOICE TO PARLIAMENT REFERENDUM ON THE ABC
With Saturday 14 October announced as the date for the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum the ABC is bringing audiences a range of content across all its platforms to help inform their vote.
Over the next six weeks the ABC will explain what the Voice is and why we’re being asked to vote on it and examine whether it can improve lives and progress reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
Highlights include:
Voices of Australia – starting Sunday 17 September at 6.30pm on ABC TV and ABC iview
In 4 half hour episodes, ABC NEWS tells the story of Australia as it considers this Constitutional change.
With stories from around the country, from contributors including Voice Correspondent Dan Bourchier, Europe Correspondent Isabella Higgins and Indigenous Affairs Editor Bridget Brennan.
Amid distrust, skepticism and misinformation, this series aims to bridge knowledge gaps with entertaining, engaging, and informative stories.
From the team behind Planet America and China Tonight, in collaboration with the Indigenous Affairs team, this series will focus on communities to show how the Referendum campaign and result will ultimately redefine how Australia views itself in 2023.
Four Corners – Monday 11 September at 8:30pm
Dan Bourchier travels to North, West and Eastern Australia asking what sovereignty/ self-determination means and looks like to First Nations people and where a Voice to Parliament fits with those visions. The story centres on two locations where working models of self-determination are operating on the ground – an Aboriginal run community model in far western NSW, and the 7-year-old South West Native Title Agreement, also knowns as the Noongar Treaty, in Perth. The story opens at this year’s Garma Festival.
Q+A – Monday 9 October will broadcast live from the crucial swing state of South Australia.
The Voice Referendum Explained podcast + vodcast (launched August 23)
Fran Kelly and Quandamooka woman Carly Williams will cut through the noise surrounding the upcoming referendum in this new podcast and give you the information you need when it’s time to vote. New episodes will be available every Wednesday morning on the ABC listen app, ABC iview and YouTube.
Referendum Explained – social media series (Instagram/TikTok) from August 30
The video series for Instagram and TikTok will help build Australians’ understanding of how referendums and the voting system work, the different stances of the Yes and No organisations, and what they need to know throughout the campaign.
ABC’s Voice website will feature the best live news, explainer, audio and video content from across the ABC.
And in the lead up to the referendum ABC Local Radio will cover the many perspectives with conversations, information and discussion to assist the local radio audience around the country to make an informed choice on voting day.
Aussie children are hearing a lot of grown-ups talk about voting in the upcoming referendum 🧐
— Emma Gibbs (@emmamgibbs) August 29, 2023
For a kid-friendly explainer, check out News Time with @rubycornish as she chats with referendum lead reporter @Dan_Bourchier. Listen here > https://t.co/6Xc0MCAylM pic.twitter.com/q0pAcob1gK
Comprehensive news and current affairs across the SBS network include:
The Point: Referendum Road Trip
Tuesdays at 7.30pm on NITV and 10.30pm time on SBS. The Tuesday October 3 episode will simulcast on NITV and SBS at 7.30pm. Episodes are also available on SBS On Demand after TX.**
Hosted by proud Wuthathi and Meriam man John Paul Janke and Whadjuk Noongar woman Narelda Jacobs, The Point is the home of First Nations perspectives, informing all Australians in the lead up to the Referendum on an Indigenous Voice to Parliament. The Point continues to travel across the continent to broadcast from every state and territory, elevating voices from communities, engaging in considered discussion and providing insightful analysis about the referendum. Having already broadcast from Waiben (Thursday Island), Boorloo (Perth), Durumbal Country (Rockhampton) and lutruwita (Tasmania), upcoming locations include Tandanya (Adelaide), Canberra, the Pilbara and from the studio on Cammeraygal Country (Sydney). Special guest panellists include politicians and community leaders, with upcoming topics such as ongoing racism in the referendum campaign, Indigenous health, caring for Country and the issue of climate change.
NITV News
Mondays to Thursdays at 6.30pm on NITV and SBS On Demand
The latest news from the oldest living culture, join Mudburra and Wagadagam woman Natalie Ahmat and the team of NITV journalists for stories from an Indigenous perspective.
Nula
Fridays at 3pm on SBS and 5.30pm on NITV. Also available on SBS On Demand
Recapping the biggest stories of the week, join Natalie Ahmat and the NITV News team in this half-hour program as they share the latest news from an Indigenous perspective. The world nula means “here, there, or everywhere” in the Dharug language.
Dateline: The Sámi Voice
Premiering Tuesday 19 September at 9.30pm on SBS and simulcast on NITV. Also available on SBS On Demand.
A weekly international half-hour documentary program that invites audiences to walk in the shoes of others in search of the inspiration and surprise in every global story, this episode of Dateline is guest presented by Karla Grant. Karla travels to Norway to learn about the Sámi and their Indigenous Parliament. As a proud Indigenous journalist, this is a story close to Karla’s heart.
Insight: Your Voice
Premiering Tuesday 10 October at 8.30pm on SBS, NITV and SBS On Demand.
Australia’s leading forum for ideas, Insight involves a lively debate on a single topic. This special episode is presented by Karla Grant, who facilitates a conversation about differing opinions on the upcoming Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum. As Australians decide how they will vote, Insight brings together Australians of different ages from around the country. Host Karla Grant asks them if they’re planning to vote “Yes” or “No” and what discussions they are having with friends, family, colleagues and neighbours to try and sway others to their side.
Stay informed on the 2023 Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum from across the SBS Network, including First Nations perspectives through NITV. Visit the SBS Voice Referendum portal at sbs.com.au/VoiceReferendum to access articles, videos and podcasts in over 60 languages, or stream the latest news and analysis, docos and entertainment for free, at the Voice Referendum hub on SBS On Demand.
The government broadcasters supplying us with a completely impartial group of presenters, giving a balanced insight into why we all should vote yes.
Exactly. Garbage.
I’m not happy with the ABC targeting kids. So dirty.
ABC have had news program for kids for over 5 years lol… they’ve always done explainers on current news events etc… When I was at school we had one about the republic, and Princess Diana dying, all sorts. Childrens programs do generally target children though, yes, they’re written and presented in a certain way.
I feel this is different though. It’s almost as if educate the kids so they “educate” their parents to vote yes.
Have you listened to the podcast? I certainly didn’t feel it was doing that but giving some background on the issue and the reason why some people want it and others don’t.
Seems odd to make assumptions about something that hasn’t gone to air yet lol, I mean they’ll probably run though the issue, why it’s come about, what the two sides are etc. Standard stuff.
I guess you’re right in the sense that the more educated are likely to vote yes though.
Can you believe it? - after all the talk about not putting a tick or cross…
Whatever the quality of the article, the headline by the Daily Telegraph is garbage. There is no 'Yes box' to tick. There is one box in which voters should write on of Yes or No. People should not use ticks and crosses. https://t.co/i1Joo5oiMM
— Antony Green - elections (@AntonyGreenElec) September 1, 2023
Saturday 14 October 7.30pm
Referendum Coverage
As the votes are cast and counted, join the ABC for the most comprehensive coverage of Referendum Day. An ABC expert panel will include representatives from both sides of the vote and feature Chief Elections Analyst Antony Green bringing live updates of the count, looking at state-wide and regional trends.
Interesting it doesn’t say who’s hosting.
How can the Liberal Party spend all this money to send text messages to encourage them to vote no?
Hopefully not Dan Bourchier.
They could try Michael and Lisa!
Are people really going to watch coverage on this?
is… is that a joke?
No?
Why do we need a whole program on it on the night? It’s not like an election where we need to know results from each electorate. It’s either Yes or No.
Doesn’t need coverage like that.