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.

  • Strayce@lemmy.sdf.orgEnglish
    3510·
    9 months ago

    Yeah this fucking sucks. I have to admit I was expecting Yes to win by a landslide, but I guess I give people too much credit.

    • Wooki@lemmy.world
      English
      72·
      9 months ago

      It was a constitutional change. Yes campaign was nothing more than virtual signalling with vague impact. End result a visibly risky change (see WA recent change that went really bad) that will do bugger all maybe maybe not and it’s easy to see where it would end.

    • themajesticdodo@lemmy.worldEnglish
      4·
      9 months ago

      Yes vote had been polling poorly from the launch. Can I ask why you thought it would win?

      I know a large amount of Yes23 campaigners were shocked, but I chalked that up to them existing in an echochamber and lacking the awareness to factor that in.

      • Strayce@lemmy.sdf.orgEnglish
        41·
        9 months ago

        I guess I must live in an echo chamber. I’ve been staying away from larger socmed and news for my own mental health, and my area was a pretty solid yes so that’s kinda all I saw.