Steve Price: Latest Newspoll shows support for Voice tumbling as referendum date draws near

The Yes campaign have a steep mountain to climb ahead of the October 14 referendum, as a new poll shows the No vote is now in the majority. 

The latest Newspoll for The Australian reveals support for the Indigenous Voice to Parliament has fallen to 38 per cent, while those intending to vote No has risen to 53 per cent. 

With just under six weeks to go until Australians head to the polls for the first referendum since 1999, the new poll marks the first time since Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced his intention to constitutionally enshrine Indigenous recognition that opposition to the pitch has outranked support. 

The poll also shows support for the Coalition has reached its highest level since the May 2022 election – leading Labor 37 per cent to 35 per cent on the primary vote. 

And, ahead of what’s set to be a divisive campaign in the lead up to the referendum, Mr Albanese’s personal approval ratings have also fallen into negative territory for the first time since taking office – down from 52 per cent to 46 per cent. 

The latest poll comes as Opposition Leader Peter Dutton promised to hold another referendum should this one fall over and he be elected prime minister. 

Mr Dutton says his referendum would constitutionally recognise Indigenous people without enshrining a Voice. 

The Uluru Statement of the Heart explicitly calls for Indigenous recognition in the Constitution through a Voice to Parliament. 

Fresh off the high of a new ad featuring John Farnham’s “You’re the Voice”, the poll is set to be a sober reality check for the 30,000 Yes23 campaigners across the country who are this week embarking on more than 700 activities. 

Yes23 Campaign Director Dean Parkin said it would be a “massive week” for mobilising Australians yet to be convinced to vote yes. 

“We are taking our campaign to new heights this week,” Mr Parkin said. 

“Our volunteers will be everywhere and I encourage Australians to have a conversation and learn more about the importance of voting Yes on 14 October. 

“We are rolling out the biggest campaign this country has ever seen. 

“We want to make sure that every voter has the opportunity to have a conversation about why voting Yes will bring about positive change for this nation.” 

- by Ellen Ransley, news.com.au

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