A historic new commercial is coming to Aussie television screens within days – but news.com.au readers can have an exclusive sneak peek right now.
On Friday, the first TV ad for the voice referendum’s Yes campaign will land.
The vote isn’t due to be held until October at the earliest, and as the first referendum in the country since 1999, it will be a huge moment in our nation’s history.
The launch of the ad is a massive milestone for the Yes campaign, which wants to see Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people recognised and represented in the Constitution, and given the opportunity to have a real say in their future.
That’s what the Yes23 Campaign’s nationwide TV ad is all about – emphasising that Aussies now have a rare chance to work together to create positive change and inviting everyone to join the conversation.
The theme of the ad is “Join Us”, reflecting the invitation for all Australians to get on board.
The message behind the commercial is a simple one: Australia’s Constitution is 122 years old, but still doesn’t recognise Indigenous Australians.
Watch the TV ad in the video player above >
However, this year, citizens will finally have the chance to fix that, by voting in the referendum to give Indigenous Australians a real say in their future.
Respected Indigenous community figures feature in the ad, and it was created with input from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander creatives, including independent filmmaker director Dylan River, a Kaytetye man who grew up in Alice Springs, and celebrated playwright and creative industry leader Wesley Enoch AM, a Quandamooka man.
Yes Campaign Alliance director Dean Parkin told news.com.au the new ad was designed to be simple and positive and to bring together all Australians to start the conversation about what the referendum is really about.
“There’s an incredible amount of goodwill and curiosity (in the community), but the conversation has not been welcoming or inviting people in, so this ad is very much about having that very simple, straightforward conversation with people across the nation and saying, ‘look, at 122 years old, it’s time for the Constitution to finally recognise Indigenous people’,” he said.
“The voice is about Indigenous Australians having a real say in their futures – it’s a really simple part of the conversation.
“Whether it’s people who strongly support the Yes campaign, people who haven’t heard much about it and also people who might have their concerns, we want to have a conversation, and we reckon when we do, people will see how simple and fair it is, and get on board.”
Mr Parkin said he personally supported the Yes campaign because it would be a positive change for the next generations, and because it was “an amazing opportunity for the country to come together”.
“It’s something every single Australian can be part of – it’s not about politicians, it’s not about the Prime Minister or the leader of the Opposition, or any political party – it’s about Australia saying ‘yes, we think this is something we should do, and feel good to be a part of’,” he said.
“It’s about having a very straightforward conversation and cutting through all the noise, and we want Australians to get behind it.”
The main narration is by Uncle Allen Madden, a Gadigal Elder and member of the Board of the Sydney Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council.
A face of the commercial is Arrernte elder Aunty Sabella Turner, who has spent a career working in Aboriginal health services around Alice Springs and is currently Cultural Lead at the Central Aboriginal Congress.
It also features John “Choc” Anderson, an Awabakal man known for his active role in the
local community in Newcastle, NSW.
Mr Anderson told news.com.au the referendum was a chance to “make Australia a better country for our children and grandchildren”.
“That’s why I’m happy to support it – it will give people more of a say and support better outcomes on the ground in communities where it matters,” he said.
“In other words, join us – I think that underlines the importance that this is a movement of the people, something that’s really actively driven by the people on the ground.
“The referendum is a chance to make Australia a better place for everybody … and I look forward to sharing the conversation with millions of people.”
Mr River, who filmed the footage of Aunty Sabella, added that he backed the cause as it will bring together the diverse voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
“People from the desert, country and the cities have a similar goal with local differences,” he said.
“Constitutional recognition through a Voice to Parliament that will give them a say will support better outcomes on the ground, in communities, where it matters.”
Yes 23 brings together grassroots organisations all campaigning for constitutional
recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through a voice to parliament.
The ad, which will start appearing on TV screens this Friday, April 28 marks the Yes Campaign Alliance’s first major advertising drive in support of constitutional recognition through a Voice to Parliament.
The campaign will also be appearing online and on billboards and bus stops next month, and will include more national commercials talking to everyday Australians about the opportunity to be part of a movement in the months ahead.
Click here for more information.