Voice to parliament referendum fails in defeat that Indigenous advocates will see as a blow to progress towards reconciliation

Australians have resoundingly rejected a proposal to recognise Aboriginal people in its constitution and establish a body to advise parliament on Indigenous issues.

Saturday’s voice to parliament referendum failed, with the defeat clear shortly after polls closed.

      • WaxedWookie@lemmy.worldEnglish
        1·
        1 year ago

        What’s token about forcing the government of the day to take the optical damage from publicly dismissing the guidance of the official body representing indigenous community? Seems it would give them reason to reconsider as well as a great body to consult on how to best prioritise and address the issues facing the community.

        • Seudo@lemmy.worldEnglish
          12·
          1 year ago

          Entirely depends on how it’s to be structured. Which the public didn’t vote on. Done correctly I do agree on the optics of an official body though.

            • Seudo@lemmy.worldEnglish
              1·
              1 year ago

              Either way, some of us whities just don’t feel comfortable determining the future of indigenous people.

              • WaxedWookie@lemmy.worldEnglish
                1·
                1 year ago

                That’s the point of the Voice though, isn’t it - to give a body representing indigenous Australians a say in decisions relating to them.

                That’s contrasted with the current situation, where the government selects an indigenous affairs minister, then optionally cherrypicks the indigenous representative bodies that support their agenda.

                • Seudo@lemmy.worldEnglish
                  1·
                  1 year ago

                  There’s nothing in the legislation that prevents the (predominantly white European) government from continuing to cherry pick. We don’t need another excuse to be apathetic about indigenous issues.

                  • WaxedWookie@lemmy.worldEnglish
                    1·
                    1 year ago

                    As I’ve said, they’ll need to take the optical damage.

                    So as you’ve said, you’re not comfortable determining indigenous Australians’ future, but you’ll block the change supported by 80% of indigenous Australians, formed at the Uluru statement from the heart it because it isn’t good enough for you - how on earth do you rationalise that obvious, massive contradiction?