This Saturday, October 14, all Australians are required to vote against or in support of changing the constitution to establish an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander “Voice to Parliament.”
Referendum voting day will run between 8am and 6pm.
Early voting is available (at similar hours) throughout the week leading up to this Saturday.
Polling place information is listed below.
Voting in the referendum is compulsory.
There is no difference between participating in a referendum or a regular federal election, and most polling places are the same.
For this referendum, voters must write either “YES” or “NO” in response to the following question:
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?
The addition of the Voice to Parliament would permanently amend the constitution by inserting the following lines:
Chapter IX Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
129 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice
In recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia:
i. there shall be a body, to be called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice;
ii. 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;
iii. 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.
Residents of Queensland can cast their vote at any polling place within the state. Those who are interstate on polling day will need to visit a designated interstate voting centre.
Most venues include accessibility services such as a general inquiry officer, virtual Auslan interpreter, accessible parking, and wheelchair access.
The places open for voting in or near Springfield on referendum day include:
- BELLBIRD PARK – Bellbird Park State Secondary College – 2 Alesana Drive
- AUGUSTINE HEIGHTS – Augusta State School – 60-100 Brittains Road
- SPRINGFIELD – Woodcrest State College – 38 Nev Smith Drive
- SPRINGFIELD CENTRAL – Springfield Central Sport & Community Hall – 134A Parkland Drive
- SPRINGFIELD LAKES – Springfield Lakes State School – 63 Springfield Lakes Boulevard
- CAMIRA – Camira State School – 184-202 Old Logan Road
- GAILES – Karate Hall – 83 Old Logan Road
- REDBANK PLAINS – Redbank Plains State High School – 136 Willow Road
Leading up to Saturday, the following location is available for pre-polling to those who fit any of the below criteria — according to the AEC website:
- Those who will be outside the federal electorate where they are enrolled to vote.
- Those more than eight kilometres from a polling place.
- Those who are travelling.
- Those who are unable to leave their workplace to vote on voting day.
- Those who are are seriously ill, infirm, or due to give birth shortly (or caring for someone who is).
- Patients in hospital who can’t vote at the hospital.
- Those with religious beliefs that prevent them from attending a polling place.
- Those in prison serving a sentence of less than three years or otherwise detained.
- Silent electors, or those with a reasonable fear for their safety or wellbeing.
If you fit these criteria, visit Home Co Springfield – Shop T03, 95 Southern Cross Circuit, Springfield Central – any time from 8:30am to 5:30pm, from Monday to Thursday, or 8:30am to 6pm on Friday.
For more information visit aec.gov.au/referendums/vote/vote-in-person.html.
To check your current enrolment status, visit check.aec.gov.au.
Note: It is too late to either enrol or update your details for the referendum.
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