The rejection of the Voice referendum, according to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, will not “define us or divide us” as a country.
The idea to include a First Nations advisory council and recognise them in the Constitution was defeated in the vote this evening.
The Australian Electoral Commision (AEC), which will reveal the official results in a few days, won’t likely see the country reach the necessary double majority for the referendum to pass.
Albanese promised that his administration will continue to be dedicated to starting a new chapter in reconciliation with First Nations people while speaking from Parliament House in Canberra.
“Our government will continue to seek better outcomes for Indigenous Australians and their children and generations to come,” Albanese stated.
“Retain hope and understand that you are loved.
“The historic fact that Australia’s story is 65,000 years old remains a source of national pride and remains a fact.”
Even if the outcome was not what he had hoped for, Albanese stated he “respects” the choice made by Australian voters.
“Just as the Uluru Statement from the Heart was an invitation extended with humility, grace and optimism for the future, tonight we must meet this result with the same grace and humility,” he stated.
“When you work hard and set high standards, you occasionally fall short. And tonight, we respect, recognise, and acknowledge what we have.
Today “is a day of sadness” for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, according to Indigenous Affairs Minister Linda Burney.
“I know this outcome will be hard for some, but achieving progress is never easy, and progress doesn’t always move in a straight line,” she said in an emotional address.
“There are breakthroughs and heartbreaks, but I am confident that because of this campaign and the millions of conversations it has sparked, the renewed generation of Indigenous leaders will emerge.”
Peter Dutton, the leader of the opposition, said it was “the referendum Australia did not need to have” while speaking to the media shortly after that.
“What we’ve seen tonight is Australians literally in their millions reject the prime minister’s divisive referendum,” he stated.
“The prime minister clearly did not understand the details, and he failed to clarify or respond to Australians’ fair questions.
“He has held the pen of this definitive chapter in our nation’s history, and if he has any strength in his leadership, he must take responsibility for it.”
Dutton addressed Indigenous Australians directly in his remarks.
“Like all Australians, a portion of you will have cast a yes vote and a no vote. Those of you who cast yes votes will suffer, he said.
“To Indigenous Australians contending with difficulty and disadvantage, I will do my utmost to lead with courage and to do with his right to implement the practical solutions required to improve outcomes and close the gap.”
