Anthony Albanese has criticised Warren Mundine for encouraging a fight between a former boxer and leading Yes advocate Thomas Mayo, arguing that rising negativity was driving voters away from the No campaign.
Mr Mundine’s second cousin and Voice opponent Anthony Mundine publicly stated he wanted to fight Mr Mayo last week.
In a video posted on social media, the former world champion boxer said he wanted “to beat (Mayo) up real good because he needs to be taught a lesson”.
Warren Mundine responded, supporting a physical altercation in a move that the Prime Minister used to point to an example of “fear” being used by No campaigners.
“I was quite shocked by the fact that Warren Mundine thought that it was OK to back those comments,” Mr Albanese said on Monday.
“What we actually need is to come together in the spirit of reconciliation and I hope sincerely that people do that.”
Mr Albanese’s comments come as hundreds of early voting stations opened across the country on Monday just weeks ahead of the October 14 Voice referendum.
Mr Albanese said the increasingly divisiveness of the debate has swayed more and more voters to switch sides to vote in favour of a First Nations Voice to Parliament.
“The feedback that I’ve had, certainly over the weekend, is people have noticed the positive nature of the Yes campaign compared with some of the negativity that is in the No campaign,” he told media.
“The no campaign has raised so many issues that have nothing to do with the Voice, some of which, frankly, use the sort of words and language which you wouldn‘t repeat.
“I know a lot of people have not made up their minds, but what I know is that the feedback after when people talk through these issues, they arrive at a Yes vote.”
A record 97.7 per cent of eligible Australians have enrolled to vote in the referendum, the highest rate since Federation, according to the Australian Electoral Commission.
Enrolment rates for Indigenous Australians have also reached an all-time high, with 94.1 per cent registered to cast their ballots.
Multiple polls have suggested the Voice in on track for defeat with support on average falling under 50 per cent.
Yes and No campaigners are expected to ramp up their presence in “critical” swing states like South Australia and Tasmania over the next two weeks to win over undecided voters.
“We are very focused on achieving a successful result because it will enable better outcomes,” Mr Albanese said.
“We know when you listen to people you get better outcomes, whether it‘s in this area or whether it be if a local school listens to teachers, parents and students.
“All this is about as an opportunity to listen to Indigenous Australians about matters that affect them with a non-binding advisory committee.”
At Australia‘s first referendum in nearly a quarter of a century, voters will be asked to vote Yes or No to a single question:
“A Proposed Law: to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. Do you approve this proposed alteration?”