Last Sunday, Australia mourned the loss of the Indigenous Voice to Parliament Referendum, a significant proposal for the Australian constitution. This referendum aimed to recognize the ancient discovery and ownership of Australia by the Aboriginal race. The proposal suggested the establishment of a group of Aboriginal delegates who would advise on federal laws affecting Aboriginal Australians.
The issue of ownership is no longer as controversial as it once was. In 1992, a landmark decision by the high court declared that Indigenous Australians had never given up sovereignty over their land. This decision allowed Aboriginal people to claim traditional and unalienated land. As a result, the practice of “welcome to country” began, where local tribesmen or Aboriginal Australians welcome people to public events, acknowledging the local tribe and its elders.
Prior to these court battles, many individuals already recognized the truth in their hearts. The concept of Indigenous voices commenting on legislation that directly affects them did not seem like a radical extension of what was already known. With the Mabo and Wik decisions solidifying Aboriginal land rights, it became clear that settlers’ children had only been in Australia for a short period compared to the Indigenous population.
However, with the rejection of the voice last Saturday, an English reader might interpret it as predicted Aussie racism. But, it’s important to dispute this interpretation. When the referendum was initially announced, polls showed favorability towards the idea. The negative perception towards the Indigenous advisory body can be attributed to news organizations spreading exaggerated stories about its proposed powers.
Unfortunately, there was a lack of clear and transparent communication about the essence of the voice and the limits of its power. The Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Linda Burney, tried her best to address concerns, but she had to constantly battle misinformation spread by the media.
The rejection of the referendum has left many “yes” voters in tears. Numerous important issues, such as the high proportion of Aboriginal prisoners and the disparity in life expectancy, still need to be addressed. The Indigenous community deserved a federal mechanism to address these issues based on their own advice. After all, they are the true owners of this land. So, why was their voice denied?
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