The Albanese government will leave the "yes" and "no" camps in the upcoming referendum for an Indigenous Voice to Parliament to do their own fundraising rather than providing an even contribution from taxpayers, the minister for Indigenous Australians told 7.30.
"We will not be using public funds to fund a yes or no campaign," Linda Burney said.
"We believe those campaigns can raise their own money through private means", she said, calling the decision "a responsible, prudent approach".
The decision means the argument over whether to enshrine an Indigenous advisory body in the Constitution will be fought on different terms to the last referendum in 1999.
Then-prime minister John Howard gave both sides a publicly funded war chest of $7.5 million, on the condition that they were not allowed to fundraise or accept donations.
There was also a taxpayer-funded neutral information campaign.
Ms Burney confirmed that there would be a similar neutral "civics" information campaign this time around, to make sure voters were "well informed" about the mechanics of voting in referendums.
The funding decision also has the effect of depriving the "yes" and "no" campaigns of any official status.
In 1999, the republican and constitutional monarchist campaign teams were formally appointed from delegates of the 1998 Constitutional Convention and given control of their respective buckets of money.
The referendum on the Voice will instead be contested by constellations of loosely aligned groups.
'I don't take things personally'
The federal National Party declared it would oppose the Voice proposal this week, although one Nationals MP – Andrew Gee – has said he will be supporting the Voice.
Country Liberal senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price – who is Indigenous – fronted the press conference where the Nationals' "no" position was announced.
She accused minister Linda Burney of flying out to remote communities in private jets, "dripping with [designer brand] Gucci".
Asked by 7.30 host Sarah Ferguson about the Nationals' position, Ms Burney noted Mr Gee's position meant the party's stance was "not unanimous".
Asked about the specific criticism of her personally, Ms Burney said there were going to be "many nasty things said" in the campaign.
"I don't take things personally ... giving up is not in my blood," she said.
"I know that this referendum and a Voice to the Parliament will improve life outcomes for First Nations people in this country.
"Politicians that say no now, they will become relics of history.
"This is not about politicians. This cannot be about politicians. This is a decision that the Australian people will make."
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