According to multiple government sources aware of internal discussions within the Albanese government,who asked not to be named as they were not authorised to speak,the launch will take place in Adelaide in the second half of next week – between August 30 and September 2.
The prime minister will make the announcement just days before two sitting weeks of parliament begin on September 4,and shortly before he departs Australia for international summits and meetings in Indonesia,the Philippines and then India from September 6 to 10.
South Australia was chosen as the state in which to launch the campaign because the Yes camp,according to the same sources,believes the state will be decisive in determining whether the campaign wins the required majority of four out of six states voting in favour of the referendum.
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“They’re quietly confident about Victoria,Tasmania and New South Wales and the national vote is tighter than the[public] polls shows,and the national vote is much tighter too,” said a member of the government,who asked not to named so they could reveal confidential discussions.
“The vote in Queensland and WA is underwater - so they have to win SA too.”
That government source said the Yes campaign’s internal polling showed it was trailing in the national vote,but only narrowly,with recent results showing Yes behind at 48 per cent to 52 per cent and 49 per cent to 51 per cent.