Metropolis Desk-
A proposal to include Indigenous people in the constitution was soundly rejected by Australia on Saturday, marking a significant setback in the nation’s efforts to achieve peace with its First Peoples.
The first referendum in nearly 25 years, on whether to change the constitution to recognize Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people through the establishment of an Indigenous advisory body called the “Voice to Parliament,” required Australians to cast “Yes” or “No” votes.
After over 70% of the votes were tabulated nationwide, the “No” side had a 60% to 40% advantage over the “Yes” vote. According to projections made by Australian broadcaster ABC and other TV networks, the majority of voters in each of the six states of Australia would vote against amending the 122-year-old constitution.
A national majority and at least four of the six votes must be cast in favor of the referendum to be successful.
Although he acknowledged that it was not the result he had hoped for, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that the nation would need to look for fresh paths to reconciliation. “The path to reconciliation in our country has frequently been difficult,” Albanese stated at a live press conference.
“This is not the end of the road, and our efforts to unite people will not end tonight.”
Scholars and human rights activists worry that the “No” camp’s victory could cause years to pass before reconciliation efforts are resumed.
The Uluru Statement from the Heart, a 2017 declaration created by Indigenous leaders that outlined a path for reconciliation with the broader Australian community, including a proposal for the Voice to Parliament.
Despite having lived on the land for roughly 60,000 years and constituting 3.8% of Australia’s 26 million inhabitants, Indigenous people are not recognized in the constitution and are, by most socioeconomic standards, the most disadvantaged group in the nation.
The idea’s proponents felt that incorporating an Indigenous voice into the constitution would bring Australia’s Indigenous population together and usher in a new era.
Although the majority of Indigenous people supported the reform, others claimed it was a diversion from attaining beneficial results. The political opposition has opposed the proposal, claiming it will slow down government decision-making, cause division, and be ineffectual.
Source- Arab News
