The budget papers reveal the money is to go towards the referendum efforts,“including the establishment of a governance structure to support the special advisory groups that will engage with stakeholders and provide advice to government”.
The electoral commission will receive $66.3 million,the bulk of which is allocated to this financial year,to prepare for the nationwide vote. Included in this amount is $16.1 million to increase the number of Indigenous Australians enrolled to vote. It takes the total spend to $75.1 million on preparatory work for the referendum when other departments are included.
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Treasurer Jim Chalmers used the opening remarks of his budget speech to emphasise the government’s commitment “to a Voice for First Nations people”,amid speculation a national vote could be held as soon as late 2023.
The federal government has not allocated any funding to official Yes and No campaigns,but in September established a 21-member working group of First Nations leaders to provide advice on key strategic questions,including the best timing for a successful vote and how the proposed constitutional amendment and question could be refined.
Addressing the advisory group last month,Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the referendum would be held during the next financial year,telling it the government was “all in” and there was “not a day to waste” as it prepared the strategy for a Yes vote.
Members of the high-powered group include former Liberal minister for Indigenous Australians Ken Wyatt,as well as Noel Pearson,Pat Turner and Uluru Dialogue co-chairs Pat Anderson and UNSW professor Megan Davis. A secondary “engagement” working group has been tasked with advising government on how best to build momentum for the Yes case and engage with Indigenous communities.