The wife of Indigenous footy legend Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin has shared an emotional message about the Voice to Parliament explaining why she is voting Yes.
Jesinta Franklin, 32, said on Instagram that she tucked her two children Lulu and Rocky in on Friday, kissed them on their foreheads and then broke down in tears.
‘I was overcome with emotion,’ the 2010 Miss Universe Australia revealed.
‘Tomorrow, we are being asked to vote on whether we will or will not recognise Indigenous Australians in our constitution.
‘We are the only former colony in the world that does not recognise our first peoples in our founding document. The only one.
‘Our constitution recognises lighthouses and coinage but doesn’t recognise the people I love and care about the most in this world, my husband and children. This simply isn’t right.’
Jesinta Franklin , 32, said on Instagram that she tucked her two children Lulu and Rocky in on Friday, kissed them on their foreheads and then broke down in tears
Lance Franklin with wife Jesinta and children Rocky and Lulu are farewelled during the AFL Round 24 match between the Sydney Swans and the Melbourne Demons in 2023
Ms Franklin urged Aussies to think about the impact that a successful Yes vote will have.
‘It’s about doing things for other people that may not have any impact on you, but are going to improve or positively impact someone else’s life,’ she said.
‘Tullulah and Rocky, Mum and Dad are voting Yes for you tomorrow and we want you to know that no matter what the outcome is, you matter and your lives are valued beyond measure.
‘You, along with your dad, are survivors of the oldest living culture in the world and that is something to always be proud of and something we will continue to always celebrate with you.
We love you and we hope tomorrow is the beginning of a brighter, more hopeful and inclusive future for Australia.’
Ms Franklin urged Aussies to think about the impact that a successful Yes vote will have
Despite polling leading up to Saturday’s Voice referendum indicating a landslide victory for the No campaign, early exit polls from a crucial must-win state points to a victory show the vote may be closer than anticipated.
A total of 115 voters across the Adelaide electorate of Boothby were asked how they voted as they left four polling booths. 58 registered a No vote while 56 went for Yes.
The tight numbers deliver a 50.8 per cent No majority versus 49.2 per cent for Yes.
Polls officially close in each state and territory at 6pm.
