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Kimberley Referendum Roadshow takes the case for the Voice through WA's north

Callan Morse -

The Kimberley Referendum Roadshow is set to begin a 1000km journey across Western Australia's north on Monday.

Jointly lead by the Kimberley Land Council and Aarnja Ltd, the regional body for Kimberley Aboriginal people, the roadshow will provide information to communities and hold conversations about constitutional recognition and an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.

Holding events in major towns along the Great Northern Highway, the information session will present a panel of guest speakers including filmmaker and advocate Rachel Perkins, constitutional lawyer Shireen Morris, YES23 campaign lead Dean Parkin, and local Aboriginal leaders.

The Member for Kimberley, Divina D'Anna, will also be in attendance alongside Kimberley Land Council chief executive Tyronne Garstone.

Mr Garstone said the roadshow will aim to provide information and a space for discussion for the Kimberley community.

"Regional and remote communities have been largely unheard whilst the Voice debate has centred around the halls of Parliament house in Canberra," he said.

"The KLC has a decades-long history of advocating for a proper form of regional representation. The Voice presents a once in a lifetime opportunity for fundamental change.

Yes23 director Dean Parkin is one of the roadshow's guest speakers. (Image: Sia Duff/The Guardian)

"We are embarking on this roadshow to ensure Kimberley communities are informed about this opportunity and the powerful impact it could have on our region. We will provide a space for open discussion and to clarify any misinformation.

"The opinion of the people in our region matters. Aboriginal people make up nearly half of the Kimberley's population, Australia will be listening."

Mr Garstone said an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice is an important step in the right direction.

"The Voice will elevate and amplify our input across the issues that affect our people," he said.

"It will allow communities, like ours in the Kimberley, a direct line to the decision makers in Canberra, where for too long there has been a disconnect between the political battles and the realities on the ground."

"There is a lot of work that needs to happen. We can all agree we need to be part of the solution and the Voice will allow that."

The Referendum Roadshow begins in Kununurra on Monday before travelling to Halls Creek on Tuesday, Fitzroy Crossing on Wednesday before concluding at Derby on Thursday.

Referendum Roadshow Locations

Monday 26 June, Kununurra Picture Gardens, 3pm - 6pm

Tuesday 27 June, Halls Creek Undercover Basketball Courts, 3pm - 6pm

Wednesday 28 June, Fitzroy Crossing Recreation Centre, 3pm - 6pm

Thursday 29 June, Derby Civic Centre, 3pm - 6pm

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