Now that the date has been named as October 14, the push begins in earnest to reverse the findings of recent polls and secure a win for Yes in the looming Voice referendum.

Politicians campaigning for an Indigenous Voice to parliament have taken to the streets of the nation’s capital to thank volunteers.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, senior Labor figures including Finance Minister Katy Gallagher and Independent senator David Pocock met supporters in Canberra on Saturday morning.

Mr Albanese spruiked what he called a powerful and uplifting advertisement for the ‘yes’ campaign which is set to be released on Sunday.

“What I get, wherever I go around the country, is that there is momentum behind the Yes campaign,” the prime minister said.

“This is a process that has been under way since well before the election of this government.

“Indeed, under the Abbott government, Turnbull government, Morrison government, there were processes.”

He also took aim at what he described as “fear campaigns” about the Voice.

Majority needed in four states

“This campaign is going to be won by one-on-one conversations with people, making sure that the fear campaigns which are there (are) no more real than the fear campaigns that were there about the Apology to Stolen Generations, about Mabo, about native title, about marriage equality, about all of these issues.”

Supporters and opponents of the Voice are mobilising ahead of the October 14 vote to recognise Indigenous people in the Constitution.

The proposed Voice, if passed by a majority of voters in a majority of states, will be able to advise parliament and the executive government on issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The question to be put in the referendum is: “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?”

If Australia votes Yes, then three objectives will be added to the Constitution. These are:

The proposed law that Australians are being asked to approve at the referendum would insert a new section to the Constitution:

“In recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia:

1. There shall be a body, to be called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice;
2. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice may make representations to the Parliament and the Executive Government of the Commonwealth on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples;
3. The Parliament shall, subject to this Constitution, have power to make laws with respect to matters relating to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice, including its composition, functions, powers and procedures.”

If the referendum vote is successful, the government will then reveal and legislate the specific form of the Voice.

-AAP