SYDNEY: Australian nationals have voted against amending the country’s 122-year-old constitution to acknowledge greater rights for Indigenous citizens following a divisive and racially charged referendum campaign. With 88 percent of polling places reporting, approximately 59 percent of voters opposed the proposal, which aimed to recognize Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders within the 1901 constitution for the first time.
The proposed reforms also intended to establish a consultative body, known as a “Voice” to Parliament, allowing Indigenous communities to contribute to laws affecting their communities and address significant social and economic inequalities.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who campaigned in favor of the amendment, called for unity and healing in the wake of the results. He acknowledged the disappointment, especially for the vast majority of Aboriginal Australians who supported the referendum, stating, “Reconciliation must be a part of the next chapter in our great Australian story.”
Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney, the first Aboriginal woman elected to the House of Representatives, expressed deep sadness, emphasizing the emotional impact of the vote on Indigenous communities.
Indigenous Australians Voice Anger
Indigenous Australians voiced anger and anguish at the rejection of calls for a reckoning with the nation’s colonial past. Dean Parkin, campaign director for the Yes23 initiative, expressed determination to continue their efforts despite the setback, saying, “We did everything we could, and we will come back from this.”
The campaign saw a sharp division between First Nations people and the white majority, revealing deep-seated racial tensions within the country. Opposition to the reforms capitalized on fears about the “Voice” assembly, fueling uncertainty and disseminating misinformation. Allegations included claims that the “Voice” would lead to land seizures and create apartheid-like systems, amplifying the polarization.
Conservative opposition leader Peter Dutton, a staunch opponent of the referendum, welcomed the failure of the binding vote, emphasizing his criticism of dividing Australians based on heritage.
Indigenous leader Thomas Mayo condemned the “no” campaign, calling for accountability due to their divisive and dishonest rhetoric. He stressed the importance of holding those responsible for misinformation accountable in a democratic society.
Despite efforts to raise awareness, polls consistently showed that Indigenous issues ranked low on voters’ political priorities. The referendum, which required majority support nationally and in at least four of the country’s six states, did not meet these criteria.
