SYDNEY: Thousands of Australians gathered on Sunday to show their support for recognizing the country’s Indigenous people in the Constitution, a critical proposal facing a referendum next month.
If approved on October 14th, this measure would enshrine Indigenous people in the Constitution and establish an advisory body to provide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with a say in policies that impact their lives.
Despite Indigenous Australians making up 3.8 percent of the population, they face numerous disadvantages, including discrimination, disparities in health and education, and high rates of incarceration.
However, recent polls suggest that the “Voice to Parliament” proposal may face defeat, marking the fifth consecutive monthly survey where voters have expressed resistance to the change.
The “Walk for Yes” events, organized by the Yes23 group, drew around 20,000 participants in Brisbane, Australia’s third-largest city. Similar rallies were scheduled in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Hobart, Canberra, Darwin, and Newcastle.
Participants donned T-shirts and carried placards proclaiming “Vote Yes!” as seen in Australian Broadcasting Corp (ABC) footage.
To amend the Constitution, the referendum, supported by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s Labor government, must secure a national majority in favor and majorities in at least four of Australia’s six states.
While most Indigenous people support the referendum, there are differing opinions. Prominent No campaigner Warren Mundine believes it may divert attention from achieving practical and positive outcomes and may not comprehensively address the issues faced by Indigenous communities.
Mundine remarked, “If we can address accountability, jobs, and education—just these three things—we can resolve many of the challenges we face,” in an interview with ABC.
Since Australia’s independence in 1901, only eight out of 44 proposed constitutional changes have been approved, underscoring the significance and challenge of this upcoming referendum.
