Massive Love Mandate: Australians Mobilize for Landmark Voice Referendum
Australians to decide fate of relations with First Nations people in historic referendum Indigenous campaigners face likely defeat as millions vote for or against change Love for country, but little support for the Yes campaign
Australians are preparing to cast their final votes on Saturday in a referendum that will have a significant impact on the future relationship with the country's First Nations people. Recent polls indicate that supporters of the Yes campaign and Indigenous advocates, who have been advocating for change for a long time, are likely to face a significant defeat.
The referendum will ask voters to approve a constitutional amendment that acknowledges the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Additionally, it aims to establish a dedicated body called the Voice to Parliament, composed of Indigenous individuals who will provide advice to the government on matters affecting their communities.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese referred to it as a "simple proposition," however, extensive deliberations have exposed a complicated combination of opposition and indifference towards the proposal, making its chances of success in the popular vote unlikely, placing it among Australia's numerous unsuccessful referendums. The Voice requires a majority Yes vote across the country and in a minimum of four out of the six states in order to pass. This accomplishment has been achieved in only eight out of the 44 referendums held since the inaugural one in 1906.
The most recent referendum that was passed occurred in 1977, prior to the introduction of the internet in Australia and long before the emergence of social media. These platforms have played a significant role in polarizing debates and facilitating the rapid dissemination of false information related to this vote. Just two days before the polls closed on Thursday, a YouGov survey, which involved over 1,500 potential voters, indicated that the No camp was in a strong position with a substantial lead of 18 points - 56% to 38%, while the remaining voters were undecided. This trend was generally mirrored by other polls. As voting is compulsory in Australia, a high voter turnout is anticipated.
A No campaign worker hands out leaflets outside an early voting center on October 4, in Ballina, Australia.
James D. Morgan/Getty Images
For love of country
Vote-counting will commence promptly at 6 p.m. local time across Australia (early morning Eastern time), with an anticipated outcome within a few hours, if the election aligns with the majority of poll predictions.
However, should these polls prove inaccurate, it would signify an extraordinary upset and an unexpected triumph for Albanese, who wholeheartedly perceives this campaign as his personal quest.
This week, he revisited Uluru, the mammoth rock formation located in the heart of the country, where Indigenous leaders made a pact in 2017 to pursue constitutional acknowledgment.
Seated on the ground, interlocking hands with Indigenous women, tears filled his eyes while they melodiously chanted a timeless tune.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese sits with Indigenous leaders in the Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park in central Australia on October 10, 2023.
Speaking to reporters later, Albanese described the profound experience, noting that sitting on the red dirt instilled a deep sense of Australia's vastness, culture, and the immense honor involved.
Albanese has presented this vote as a manifestation of love.
"This campaign revolves around our affection for our fellow Australians, and the idea of respect," Albanese expressed. "However, it also pertains to loving ourselves and having the bravery to embrace the essence of Australia. It is not a sentiment that originated with the arrival of a few ships in 1788. This represents Australia in its entirety, encompassing the abundance and depth of our history."
During the closing phase of the campaign, proponents of the Yes vote restated their message, issuing statements encouraging individuals to prioritize love over manipulation and sending text messages emphasizing the importance of persuading hearts and minds.
Notably, Noel Pearson, an influential Indigenous leader involved in advocating for constitutional reform, asserted in a September speech at the National Press Club that the primary incentive for supporting the Yes vote was a deep love for one's country.
"It is not the love of each other that joins us, it is our mutual love of country ⦠we dont need mutual affection to succeed in this referendum," said Pearson.
Amar Singh, Noel Pearson and Rachel Perkins join Yes supporters and local residents during an event in Sydney on October 7, 2023.
Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images
No love for Yes campaign
However, a leading No campaigner mocked Pearsons speech, accusing the Yes campaign of promoting empty slogans.
"The Yes campaign embodies an uplifting spirit. It promotes inclusivity and love, as if the supporters have experienced moments of shared joy and unity," Nyunggai Warren Mundine humorously remarked to an amused audience during a No event in Brisbane, which coincided with Pearson's speech.
"Our focus lies in offering practical solutions and enforcing transparency. We seek tangible results for the billions of dollars invested, emphasizing the importance of accountability," explained Mundine, an influential figure of the Bundjalung, Gumbaynggirr, and Yuin communities, leading the Recognise a Better Way campaign group.
The Voice was established with the aim of achieving improved results for Indigenous Australians who are among the most disadvantaged, accounting for approximately 3.8% of Australia's total population of 26 million.
Among the 19 goals set to address the disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, certain statistics continue to worsen. These include the level of development among children at the commencement of their education, the number of children in out-of-home care, and the rates of adult imprisonment and suicide.
If the referendum fails, Albanese has stated that he would honor the nation's democratic vote and refrain from enacting a Voice to Parliament. "I do not think it would be suitable to disregard the outcome and proceed with legislation," he stated in an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's Insiders program on Sunday.
If the referendum does not succeed, there won't be any alterations in the constitution or the policy concerning Indigenous affairs. In late September, Mundine informed his audience that the No campaign would strive for improved results by promoting increased economic participation and accountability.
A group of children at the Girls Dormitory in Cherbourg circa 1930.
Queensland Museum/Betty McKenzie Collection
An Australian community built on racial segregation looks to the future, with or without a Voice
"When we wake up on October 15th, after conquering this Voice, we will ensure accountability for those individuals," Mundine stated.
"We are determined to ensure that children attend school. We will encourage individuals to secure employment, establish businesses, and invest in their communities. Moreover, we will prioritize the safety of these communities and work towards restoring family and community values," he remarked, without delving into the specific methods that will be employed to achieve these goals.
"We will put an end to virtue signaling and division," he vowed, before emphasizing that it is our collective responsibility to hold politicians and individuals accountable for wisely utilizing our money.
