In late 2023, Australians will vote at referendum on whether to support a change to

their constitution to enshrine a national Indigenous body to advise parliament and

recognise Australia’s first nation’s people. This thesis examines how grassroots

advocates seeking a ‘Yes’ vote at Australia’s ‘Voice to Parliament’ referendum can

succeed, against a background of entrenched Indigenous disadvantage and

‘invisibility’ and in a highly volatile political environment. Indigenous Australians

account for 3 percent of the nation’s population. The referendum offers a unique

opportunity to investigate how advocates frame the question of Indigenous

empowerment amidst ongoing injustice, mobilise political elites and allies and

engage the wider community to support the nation’s most significant constitutional

reforms since 1967. Through surveys and focus groups with advocates in

Adelaide, South Australia, this paper applies social movement and political

research, to investigate what they believe are the key obstacles and opportunities

to referendum success. This thesis highlights the sizable barriers facing The Voice

advocates as they attempt to build solidarity and mobilise support among the

broader population. Advocates grapple with addressing persistent myths and

counter-factual narratives about Indigenous people, their rights and opportunities

as well as the extent of historical injustices, making it challenging to frame a

clearly-defined and urgent ‘need’ to mobilise collective action. A turbulent political

environment dominated by an unsupportive media and amplified opposition, where

voters are disinterested, ill informed and wavering in support is also a significant

barrier. Ample opportunities exist for The Voice movement to achieve its ambitions

of success at referendum if greater effort is applied.