Australia’s Indigenous Voice Referendum: Extensive Coverage by SBS and NITV
SBS and NITV are gearing up for a significant simulcast event this Saturday, 14 October, as they present live news coverage of the much-anticipated Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum.
This coverage aims to give Australians an insightful look at the vote-counting process, alongside discussions and debates about whether an Indigenous Voice should be embedded in the Australian Constitution.
Anton Enus, anchor of SBS World News at 6.30pm AEDT, along with Natalie Ahmat, NITV News presenter and a proud Mudburra and Wagadagam representative, will helm the coverage. Their team will provide up-to-the-minute updates on the day’s major headlines and initial referendum outcomes. Furthermore, there will be live reports from multiple locations throughout Australia, offering a well-rounded perspective on the event.
From 7.30pm AEDT, a notable live special titled The Point: Australia Decides will take the stage. This segment will be spearheaded by John Paul Janke, a Wuthathi and Meriam man, and Narelda Jacobs, a Whadjuk Noongar woman. Their unique insights are expected to be particularly enlightening, especially given their extensive journey of more than 36,000km this year with The Point: Referendum Road Trip. The duo travelled across all states and territories, broadcasting their findings and discussions from various communities.
A panel discussion promises in-depth debate and analysis, with esteemed guests like Professor Marcia Langton, Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce, ex-Senator and Olympian Nova Peris, Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth, and Tasmanian Liberal MP Bridget Archer sharing their insights.
Moreover, updates on the referendum, including interactions with both the Yes23 and No campaigners, will be relayed throughout the night.
Come 9.30pm AEDT, Anton Enus and Natalie Ahmat will reconvene for an evening edition of SBS World News. Their coverage will blend the expertise of The Point team with reports from correspondents stationed all over the nation.
Digital platforms won’t be left behind. Continuous updates will be available via the SBS News website, SBS News app, NITV, and SBS’s Audio network, ensuring that Australians across linguistic backgrounds—over 60 languages, to be precise—are kept informed.
On a cultural note, NITV will revisit its rich archives with Sounds of Solidarity at 12.30pm on NITV and SBS On Demand. This special, a collaborative project with Brisbane Indigenous Media Association, was filmed in Brisbane. Hosted by musician Fred Leone, NITV journalist Tanisha Williams, and comedian Kevin Kropinyeri, it promises a musical journey celebrating iconic First Nations artists. There will be interviews that dive into the socio-political backdrop of Indigenous music, intertwined with live updates from correspondents at community events and polling sites.
Post-referendum, SBS and NITV are committed to extending the conversation. Karla Grant will delve into the historic significance of the event with a special edition of Living Black on Monday, 16 October at 8.30pm on NITV.
Further examinations of the referendum’s aftermath will be explored in upcoming episodes of The Point. The penultimate episode, airing on 17 October, 7.30pm live on NITV and simulcast on SBS, features John Paul Janke and Narelda Jacobs. A week later, on 24 October, the final episode will provide reflections on the past year and discuss the road ahead for First Nations people, irrespective of the referendum’s outcome.
Stay updated on the 2023 Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum via the SBS network, particularly through the lens of NITV’s First Nations perspective. For comprehensive resources, including articles, videos, and podcasts in over 60 languages—including Auslan—head to the SBS Voice Referendum portal at sbs.com.au/VoiceReferendum or explore the Voice Referendum hub on SBS On Demand.
