The single letter that is convincing many Australians to vote YES for the Indigenous Voice to Parliament: ‘Sums it up beautifully’

A Yes voter has argued there will be greater division in Australia if the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum isn’t successful.

Gillian Upton, from Balaclava in Melbourne’s southeast, recently wrote a letter to her local newspaper saying she feared ‘the biggest message’ about the Voice was being lost.

Ms Upton explained that while many No voters had argued the advisory body would create division, she said First Nations Australians would feel a much greater divide if they felt their voices weren’t being heard.

‘If the nation wakes after a ‘No’ vote and it sinks in that we, the settlers who have been here at most 10 generations, have said to Australia’s First Nations, who have had connection here for 2,600 generations,’ she began.

‘That: ”No”, we won’t hear you, we don’t want to listen to your advice on how to better your lives; 

Gillian Upton, from Balaclava in Melbourne ‘s southeast, recently wrote a letter to her local newspaper saying she feared ‘the biggest message’ about the Voice was being lost

”No”, we won’t even see you, you will not be recognised in the constitution; ”No”, we reject your longstanding efforts for constitutional recognition and we decline your open-hearted invitation to ‘walk with us … for a better future’.

”No”, we don’t want that, for you or us.’

Ms Upton said that would be significantly more divisive. 

‘Not all ‘No’ voters would intend to deliver such a brutal, ugly message to First Nations people, but all ‘No’ voters must realise that this will be the actual meaning and impact of their vote,’ she said.

Her letter has been widely shared on social media by fellow Yes voters, with many applauding Ms Upton’s argument.

Polling across the board has the No vote at a comfortable lead – the latest Redbridge poll has just 35 per cent of respondents voting Yes, while Essential has the Yes vote at 43 per cent (pictured is Anthony Albanese at Yes campaign)

‘The No vote is what is really divisive. Please Australia, don’t let us wake up to this shameful position,’ one said.

‘Sums it up beautifully. I’m scared of the country we’ll realise we live in on Sunday,’ said another.

Polling across the board has the No vote at a comfortable lead – the latest Redbridge poll has just 35 per cent of respondents voting Yes, while Essential has the Yes vote at 43 per cent.

Australians are expected to learn by Saturday evening whether the referendum was successful.