Australians cast final votes in a referendum on whether to create an Indigenous Voice

Australians have cast their final votes in a historic referendum aimed at addressing Indigenous disadvantages by establishing a new advocacy committee within the country’s constitution. Polling stations closed initially in New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania at 6 p.m. local time (07:00 GMT), with South Australia, Queensland, and Western Australia following suit three hours later due to varying time zones.

The referendum proposal for an Indigenous Voice to Parliament has stirred intense debate within Australia’s Indigenous minority and the broader community. Indigenous activist Susanne Levy expressed her concerns, contending that the Voice would represent a setback for Indigenous rights as imposed by non-Indigenous Australians. She emphasized that Indigenous voices have always existed but may not have been adequately heard by the wider Australian population.

On the other side of the debate, “Yes” campaigner Arnagretta Hunter saw the Voice as a significant advancement for the nation. She argued that the legislation and constitutional enshrinement of the Voice would ensure that Indigenous voices are not only heard but also considered in government decisions. The proposed Voice would consist of Indigenous Australians chosen to advise the Parliament and government on issues affecting the nation’s most disadvantaged ethnic minority. Advocates believe that this initiative would lead to more effective government services and improved outcomes for Indigenous lives.

Indigenous Australians, constituting only 3.8% of the population, face significant disparities, including a shorter life expectancy, higher suicide rates, and health issues prevalent in remote areas. Nearly 18 million people were eligible to vote in this referendum, the first since 1999, with approximately 6 million participating in early voting over the preceding three weeks. Additionally, around 2 million postal votes will be counted over the next 13 days.

For the referendum to succeed, a majority of Australians must vote “yes,” along with majorities in at least four of the six states. Recent opinion polls have indicated that a substantial majority of Australians oppose the proposal, although earlier in the year, there was greater support for the Voice before the “no” campaign gained momentum.

Australian Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers, overseeing the referendum, noted that the voting process had been generally orderly, aside from a few incidents of campaigners harassing voters at polling booths. Referendums often evoke strong emotions not typically seen during regular elections, as they address generational issues.

Should the proposal pass, it would mark the first successful constitutional amendment since 1977 and the first to succeed without bipartisan support from the major political parties. Opposition leader Peter Dutton criticized the Voice as an additional layer of democracy unlikely to yield practical results, while Independent Aboriginal senator Lidia Thorpe voted “no,” advocating for grassroots solutions to Indigenous issues and rejecting external dictates.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who campaigned vigorously for the Voice, countered claims that the proposal had created division within the Australian community. He argued that the real division lies in the significant disparity in living standards between Indigenous people and the wider population.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Indigenous Voice Referendum