Yes and No campaigners for an Indigenous Voice to Parliament hold events around the country; former NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian launches a legal challenge to overturn the finding from the anti-corruption watchdog; and in sports, Australian Daniel Ricciardo confirmed for the Formula One grid next season.
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TRANSCRIPT
- Yes and No campaigners for an Indigenous Voice to Parliament hold events around the country
- Former NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian launches a legal challenge to overturn the finding from the anti-corruption watchdog
- Australian Daniel Ricciardo confirmed for the Formula One grid next season
Yes and No campaigners for an Indigenous Voice to Parliament have been holding events around the country this weekend.
Speaking at a Yes campaign event in Sydney, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says he encouraged people to do their homework and have conversations on what Australians are being asked to vote on on October 14.
He says he believes momentum will continue to grow in the final three weeks before the referendum.
"And something I get great heart from is the decision of Kamahl - a very courageous decision. He is someone who came out to say no - and went away, spoke to people, read what it is about, read the question and decided that he would come out and declare his support for Yes, and say 'why would anyone oppose this'. So we have now a new term that we've coined today: 'Kamahl-mentum' in the last couple of weeks."
Malaysian-born Australian singer Kamahl says he has now changed his mind on the Voice, and plans to vote Yes after one-on-one conversations with comedian Dane Simpson and constitutional lawyer Eddie Synot.
Meanwhile, a No campaign event at Sydney's Hyde Park.
Attendee Joel says he is holding a sign saying "vote no to white guilt".
He says he doesn't want anything to change.
"I think the premise of this election, or referendum, is that the Australian settlement or British settlement of Australia was illegitimate - and I fundamentally disagree with that. It was legitimate. And it was a wonderful thing. They want to put it in the constitution, which indicates they want to give it actual power. It doesn't need to be in the constitution. If it is just an advisory body, plenty of advisory bodies exist outside of the constitution."
Voters will be asked to respond yes or no, do they support changing the Constitution to "recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice."
If a Yes vote is successful, an amendment would be added to the constitution to create an advisory body that would have the function to "make representations" - give advice - to the Parliament and the Executive Government, on matters affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The function would be limited to giving advice only - the body would have veto powers. Members of parliament would determine the laws on the composition, functions, powers and procedures of the body.
And you can find comprehensive information about the referendum by visiting the SBS Voice Referendum portal at www.sbs.com.au/voicereferendum
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Former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian has launched a legal bid to overturn findings she engaged in serious corrupt conduct during her time in office.
The Court of Appeal challenge is listed for a first directions hearing in Sydney's Supreme Court on October 9.
In its report released in June, the Independent Commission Against Corruption found Ms Berejiklian acted corruptly while in a five-year relationship with Liberal MP Daryl Maguire trying to advance his financial interests.
It did not suggest she should face criminal charges.
The near two-year investigation examined whether Ms Berejiklian breached the public trust by failing to disclose her personal relationship with Mr Maguire when she was treasurer and later premier.
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Visa problems have prevented three Indian martial arts competitors from attending the Asian Games in Hangzhou.
China issued visas stapled - rather than stamped - to the passports for the residents of Arunachal Pradesh, claiming it to be part of China's southern Tibet.
India rejects the claim, saying the region has always been part of India.
India's sports minister has cancelled his visit to the games in protest, while the country's foreign ministry says a protest has been lodged in New Delhi and Beijing.
Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning says China welcomes athletes from all countries, but does recognise the Arunachal Pradesh area as Indian territory.
The acting president of the Olympic Council of Asia, Raja Randhir Singh, says work is being done to try and resolve the issue.
"We (members) had a meeting yesterday with the Working Group as well and this has been taken up in the Working Group meeting. They are taking it up with the government and we are also taking it up with the government. It is under discussion with us as well. This is outside of what the government to government is happening. We are from the OCA (Olympic Council of Asia) side of it. We are doing it."
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And to sports, two Australian drivers will be among the lineup for the 2024 Formula One season.
AlphaTauri has confirmed Daniel Ricciardo will return to the Formula One starting grid next season.
Ricciardo is healing from a broken wrist after a crash during a practice session in the Netherlands.
Australian Oscar Piastri will also be racing next season, after extending his deal with McLaren until the end of 2026.
He says he is feeling good about having a plan mapped our for the near future.
"Yeah obviously very happy to have that announced already. Was already around for next year but to announce for the end of 2026 now is very exciting, very happy to have my future secured for a long time in papaya so looking forward to it."
