Anthony Albanese insists the Indigenous voice referendum can still be a “moment of national unity”, revving up yes supporters and reaching out to undecided voters at a concert in regional Victoria aiming to raise awareness of the vote.
The prime minister said support for a constitutionally enshrined voice, an advisory committee of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, would “make the greatest country on Earth just that little bit greater”, using his address at the Now & Forever festival in Shepparton to highlight the support the proposal has from Indigenous Australians.
“We’re going for yes,” said elder Uncle Colin Walker, giving a welcome to country at the event.
Rapper and concert organiser Briggs had a broader message, worried that a no vote would “set a standard” for Indigenous affairs in the future.
“It’s a dangerous precedent that [the government] doesn’t have to listen to us. It’s like this idea that ‘the country said no, we all said no, we don’t have to listen to this’. That we don’t need to worry about Indigenous inclusion,” he said.
“That’s the elephant in the room nobody wants to address, that’s what’s on the table … whether you value us.”
Singer-songwriters Paul Kelly and Jimmy Barnes, Briggs and fellow hip-hop artist Baker Boy were among the star attractions at the event. Organised to draw attention to the referendum, the event’s tagline stated: “Don’t know? Come to the show.”
“Thanks for listening,” Barnes told the crowd.
He was joined by daughter Mahalia and Indigenous singer Emma Donovan to sing John Farnham’s You’re the Voice, used in a viral yes ad from the Uluru Dialogue; while Kelly made a special dedication before his song How To Make Gravy.
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make up 3% of the population but 30% of the prison population. I want to send this song out to all those who can’t be here today because they’re locked up and can’t get out,” he said.
Crowds were greeted by stalls from the Yes23 campaign and Victoria’s First Peoples Assembly, with volunteers on hand to answer questions about the referendum and voice. One yes volunteer said they chose not to hand out fliers at the event, preferring for music fans to choose to come to them instead.
Held in the electorate of Nicholls, deep in Nationals country, the location holds special meaning for Briggs: his home town. The Yorta Yorta man, half of rap duo AB Original, told Guardian Australia the concert was purposely held here, in a bid to change minds about the referendum.
“This is a One Nation, Nationals stronghold. This is where I grew up. If we go to Melbourne, we go to Sydney, we’re preaching to the choir. We’d probably get a way bigger turnout [at the concert], but I feel like it means more here,” he said.
Briggs has rapidly, and unexpectedly, become a central figure in the referendum campaign – loudly advocating for a yes vote on social media, co-starring in a viral video alongside comedians Freudian Nip and releasing a new AB Original song simply titled Yes.
He said the concert aimed to encourage voters to connect with the referendum, and to address what he saw as conspiracy theories about the voice.
“It’s not scary … it’s not a psy-op, it’s not a UN land grab. We don’t want your back yards,” he said. “This is simply about us having a voice to be able to direct, more care and have better outcomes that eventually will save money and save time.”
Albanese, speaking on stage after a welcome to country from local elders, again painted the referendum as fulfilling a request from Indigenous Australians.
“Honouring the form of recognition that we have been graciously requested to give,” he said, wearing a black yes T-shirt.
“A form of recognition that simply says, ‘We want to be listened to so that we get better results, so that we close the gap, so that young Indigenous Australians have the same opportunity that non-Indigenous Australians have’.
“That is what Indigenous people want in this country. The same opportunity for their kids as other Australians have.”
The prime minister claimed: “This can be a moment of national unity if we vote yes.
“Let’s get this done, Australia.”
Hip-hop artist Barkaa called the referendum period “crazy”, asking fans during her performance to check in on their Indigenous friends and family.
“I want to make clear, yes is the start,” she said. “We’ve got a lot of work to do, white Australia … thank you to all those standing with us.”
When asked what he hoped people would take away from the concert, Briggs replied: “Find them undecided and convert them. Talk to your friends.”