Central Land Council: Top Indigenous body lashes out at Australia after the Voice referendum was rejected: ‘We live in a country that does not know itself’
Indigenous leaders have broken their silence in the wake of the failed Voice referendum, expressing shock and disbelief at the “vitriol and hatred” running through the campaign.
The Central Land Council (CLC), one of the largest representative bodies for Aboriginal people in the NT, said their communities were in mourning after the overwhelming majority of Australians voted ‘no’ in last Saturday’s referendum.
“We live in a country that does not know itself,” read a statement from the CLC.
“Those of us who have been there a long time know what it feels like. We’ve been here before. We are sad, but we know we have to stay strong.
“Others in our communities, especially young people, are in shock and disbelief.”
Indigenous leaders have broken their silence in the wake of the failed Voice referendum, expressing shock and disbelief at the “vitriol and hatred” running through the campaign (photo, Voice polling station)
Last week’s referendum, the result of years of consultation and the request of Indigenous Australians through the 2017 Uluru Statement from the Heart, was defeated in every state and territory except the ACT.
Remote Indigenous communities voted overwhelmingly to include an Indigenous voice in Parliament in the Australian Constitution.
Independent advocacy group Australian’s for Native Title and Reconciliation (ANTaR) said it was deeply saddened by the outcome and vowed to continue advocating for treaties and truth.
“It was fair to say that ‘not everyone who voted ‘no’ is racist, but (is) also fair to say that all racists voted ‘no,'” the nonprofit wrote on social media.
“The vitriol and hatred that was part of the campaign existed before, but was given license along the way.”
“The overarching theory that we are unable to manage our own affairs is dehumanizing and demeaning and, above all, deeply flawed.
Leading Yes campaigner Thomas Mayo said that despite a wave of racism unleashed during the bitter campaign, the movement for indigenous rights had grown stronger.
Yes, campaign workers are mourning the referendum result, which overwhelmingly rejected The Voice
In a written column for The Saturday newspaper, the indigenous leader wrote that he was bankrupt after the referendum defeat and criticized an “abhorrent” No campaign.
“The racist vitriol we felt was at a level not seen in Australia for decades,” he wrote.
“We continue to call for our voices to be heard, for reform and justice, and we need your continued support.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has not yet spoken about the government’s next steps after the referendum, but said he was committed to listening to Indigenous Australians.