Reuters/Agencies – Australian citizens voted fully today, Saturday, in the first referendum on expanding rights to indigenous citizens. Plans to amend the constitutional law of the Kangaroo State were overturned for the first time in 122 years. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanis expressed his extreme disappointment, pointing out that this defeat is serious as he had high hopes but did not reach them. However, he said he would like to accept the voice of the people Down Under.
Six Australian states voted on Saturday to reject a referendum on amendments to the Australian Constitution to expand the rights of indigenous peoples and create a body that would advise the country’s government on the issue of indigenous peoples, who make up 3.8% of the total population of 26 million people, Reuters reported on Saturday (October 14). .
Reuters reported that if Australia’s historic referendum is the first in 122 years, which will be held on Saturday, it will have the approval of the people. This will be the first time that Indigenous Australians’ traditional ownership of their lands has been recognized in constitutional law, which will then be amended.
In the nationwide vote counting process, it was found that 60% of those who came to vote voted “no” or “rejected” to the question “How many voters voted?”
“We want to amend the Constitution to recognize Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by establishing an Australian Aboriginal Advisory Council. “Indigenous voice to parliament”?
Nationally, nearly 70% of the counting has been completed, with the ‘no’ vote leading by about 70% to 40%, Australia’s ABC News and other Australian television networks. It is estimated that all six Australian states are likely to vote in a referendum to reject any changes to the Australian Constitution this time. It has prompted advocates to demand recognition of Indigenous Australians, considered among the poorest in the country, as the highest law in the land.
The British media, BBC, reported that supporters point out that incorporating Aboriginal people into Australian constitutional law would unite Australia in the modern era.
Supporters say a yes vote would allow Australia to address inequality among Indigenous Australians. British media pointed this out, but the opposition has a different point of view. Australian opposition leader Peter Dutton said at the beginning of the campaign:
“Instead of being one, we are divided in spirit and in law.”
After the results of the referendum appeared, which indicated that his team won. “The results are good for our nation,” Dutton emphasized.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanis expressed his disappointment that the result of the referendum did not go as he had hoped. But he believes Australia will find new ways to compromise.
Albanese points out and continued: “The defeat was tough, when you have high hopes and sometimes you don’t reach them. We understand and accept what we have.”
Thomas Mayo, an Indigenous Australian leader and leader of the Vote Yes campaign, told ABC News. Australia says
“I feel heartbroken,” he added. “We need a voice. We need structural change.”
Reuters reported that referendums in Australia are very difficult to pass without the support of a bipartisan coalition of Australian political parties.
Dutton criticized Albanis. He is open to holding a referendum that is unnecessary for Australia, arguing that it should be one that unites us rather than divides us.
Adding to this problem, it turns out that even indigenous politicians themselves led the ‘no’ vote.
The BBC reported that Senator Lydia Thorpe, who is of indigenous origin, is leading the campaign to vote “no” this time.
She expressed her opinion after learning the results, “This is not our constitutional law. It was built in 1901 by a group of old white men. Now we are asking the people of Australia to bring us there.” “No, thanks.”
Among the indigenous people who voted no, they wanted the Canberra government to prioritize a legally binding treaty between First Nations peoples and the Australian government.