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Albanese jets west in hope WA finds its Voice

The Labor Party added government-paid super contributions for people on parental leave to its national platform in August. Photo: AAP

The Labor Party added government-paid super contributions for people on parental leave to its national platform in August. Photo: AAP Photo: AAP

The prime minister is convening cabinet in Western Australia as some ministers prepare to campaign in the state ahead of the referendum’s announcement.

Anthony Albanese will host cabinet in Perth on Monday and address a business breakfast on Tuesday during his 15th visit to the state since he took office last May.

“I’m someone who doesn’t have an annual visit to Western Australia, it’s more like a monthly visit as prime minister,” he said of the state that was crucial in handing him majority government.

Labor picked up four seats and recorded a more than seven per cent swing in its favour in 2022.

Ministers are expected to launch an election-style campaign after Mr Albanese announces the date for the referendum in Adelaide on Wednesday.

The vote, widely tipped to take place on October 14, will determine whether an Indigenous advisory body known as the Voice will be enshrined in the constitution.

Mr Albanese says he hasn’t written off the western state despite polling and internal party opinions largely expecting WA and Queensland to vote ‘no’.

He said the feedback he had heard from campaigners in the state was that people were receptive to the argument when the question was explained to them simply.

“This is a very gracious request from Indigenous people, just to be recognised and to be listened to through the Voice,” he said.

South Australia and Tasmania are largely seen as the two swing states and are a major focus for the ‘yes’ campaign although various polls have support for the Voice tracking backward.

– AAP

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