AUSTRALIA: REFERENDUM SEEKING TO AMEND 122-YEAR-OLD CONSTITUTION REJECTS INDIGENOUS VOICE

Sat 14 October 2023:

Australia rejected a referendum on Saturday, October 14, to include Indigenous people in the country’s constitution, marking a major defeat in its efforts to achieve reconciliation with the Indigenous population.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said, “Australians have not voted for a change to the constitution,” and added, “We very much respect this result.”

This comes as polls opened in the Oceania region in which Australians began voting on a referendum for Indigenous rights. According to the media reports, four states—New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, and South Australia—have projected to vote “No” on the proposal.

Australia’s Indigenous population, constituting 3.8 percent of the country’s 26 million people, has a history of approximately 60,000 years on the land.

However, they are not mentioned in the current constitution and various socio-economic measures indicate they are among the most disadvantaged groups in the nation, reported Reuters.

This referendum was a hope for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders who have been facing various challenges for centuries.

This spans from higher rates of illness, premature mortality and imprisonment in comparison to their more affluent white compatriots.

It is worth noting that in Australia, a successful referendum requires the approval of at least four out of the six states, along with a national majority.

Australians were asked to express their support or opposition on a ballot paper to a question that aimed to amend the 122-year-old constitution.

The proposed amendment sought to formally recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and establish an Indigenous advisory body known as the “Voice to Parliament,” tasked with providing advice on Indigenous issues to the government.

With only 45 percent of the vote counted nationwide, the “No” campaign was leading with 57.35 percent compared to the “Yes” campaign’s 42.65 percent.

Australia’s Indigenous population, constituting 3.8 percent of the country’s 26 million people, has a history of approximately 60,000 years on the land.

However, they are not mentioned in the current constitution and various socio-economic measures indicate they are among the most disadvantaged groups in the nation, reported Reuters.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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