Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, with the support all the state and territory premiers, has officially backed the ‘First Nations Voice’ – a standing consultative body to advise the government on laws and policies arguably affecting the Aboriginal community but, potentially, the nation as a whole. He says it is a priority for the government to secure a successful referendum that will constitutionally entrench this ‘consultative body’.

In past referenda, Australian governments at least pretended to foster fair debate by providing electors with pamphlets listing the official arguments for and against the proposed changes.