19 years on from his first trek to Canberra in the fight for the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, Michael Long has arrived in the nation's Capital to round up his Long Walk advocating for the Voice to Parliament.
The Essendon champion began his 660 kilometre journey from Melbourne in support of a Yes vote late last month, joining Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for the final steps and then in Parliament House's courtyard a month out from the Referendum.
Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney and fellow parliamentarians also greeted him on arrival.
Long first walked from Wurundjeri to Ngunnawal country after the then-Government's announcement to abolish ATSIC (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission).
His message in 2023 - "where is the love?".
Long has encouraged the public to join him in the walk with a shared vision of giving Indigenous Australians a voice.
Speaking on Thursday, Mr Albanese compared Long's journey to Wiradjuri man Jimmy Clements' walk from the Brungle Mission in NSW to the former Parliament House's opening in 1927.
"He was joined by another Indigenous man, John Noble, the only two Indigenous people at the opening of the parliament. Police tried to remove Clements because he arrived after such a long walk from Tumut, dishevelled and bare foot," the Prime Minister said.
"The crowd rose up and said 'No, Indigenous people have a right to be here.'
"What do they teach us? Like Michael Long, they were prepared to walk a long way to meet us.
"On October 14 we are being asked as Australians to walk just a few short steps. Michael just walked from Melbourne. I walked from just across the lake. He's walked along way…(Australia has the opportunity) to walk a few short steps to recognition. To walk a few short steps to establish an advisory committee."
Australians will vote in the referendum on whether to enshrine an Indigenous Voice to Parliament and for constitutional recognition on October 14.
Opposition Indigenous Affairs spokesperson and no camp lead Jacinta Nampijinpa Price is due to speak at the National Press Club on Thursday.
