Australia has a historic referendum on Indigenous rights

Australia is holding a landmark referendum to decide whether to permanently recognize Indigenous Australians in the Constitution and create a body to advise on policies affecting their communities.

Over 17.6 million Australians must vote in the Oct. 14 compulsory vote.

The proposal would create an Indigenous Australian advisory board. It could directly consult parliament and the government but not veto laws.

Government opposition and the right National party are mostly against a "yes" vote, but Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is campaigning for it.

Indigenous Australians are among the poorest in Australia, with low life expectancy, high suicide rates, and world-leading incarceration rates.

A majority of Aussie voters and at least four out of six states must vote for the proposal to pass.