The people have spoken. As disappointed as I am by the result, I respect our democratic process. Still can’t help but feel like misinformation was the victor today.
[deleted]
Never expected it to pass and glad it didn’t as a no voter
Much like Brexit, misinformation is the only winner here.
What do you expect when it was positioned by the government as “this will make a material difference to indigenous people’s lives” but also “don’t worry it won’t actually change anything” to dissuade people from voting no.
Coupled with pitching it via endorsements from some of the companies most guilty of gouging consumers during a cost of living crisis…
Has to be one of, if not the biggest political own goals in Australian political history. To say nothing of the actual negative impacts it has and will continue causing to indigenous people.
Hardly a surprise. The democratic process has worked,  and the people have spoken. The bar was set very high and the Yes campaign fell far short of anything like 50:50 in the population – referendums are historically doomed in Australia anyway.
No matter how positive the intention was, setting up a body which could only be elected by a single ethnic group, to represent those views to the exclusion of others, was inherently divisive. On top of that, misinformation and bigotry further supported the No campaign (as well as the admittedly excellent “Don’t know? Vote No” slogan).
The polling was clear, people support better outcomes and inclusivity for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island peoples, but not through a racially segregated process.
Full recognition and equity will have to take a different route and must bring along all peoples to a brighter future
This is what happens when you try to change the constitution, but refuse to outline how it will be used afterwards beyond “trust us”. They should have at least had the proposed bill for The Voice ready, so people could know how it would work at least initially under the current government.
They couldn’t have done a worse job at handling the Yes campaign then they did. They started with over 60% support, and just would not handle any of the problems people kept pressing them about.
97% of the non-indigenous majority have determined the outcome for our 3% indigenous minority. Saying yes would have no affect on the 97% but potentially have changed the 3%’s loves for the better
The Government stuffed this up
As a yes voter, there are so many better things the government could have used their precious time on at the moment. Why housing isn’t the only thing being talked about is a mystery to me
“If you don’t know, vote no”
God forbid people fucking look up something in this age of overwhelming free information.
As a Melbournian, it’s heartening to see other Melbournians on board – especially given our progress in Victoria with our own work towards a treaty at a State level.
But, honestly, this was always going to happen with the Yes campaign leaning on public facing big business support during a cost of living crisis. Even in Melbourne, outer suburban seats chock full of lower SES voters are voting No, because the No campaign made this about doubts and whataboutism, not policy. I don’t genuinely believe clearer policy detail from Albo would have made all that much difference in light of the insane tactics of Yes, and genuinely if not for Briggs’ last minute effort, Yes might as well have not campaigned on this tbh.
As for the implications, I think this hurts the Libs long term. Labor can now focus on cost of living, and Albo can simply say ‘thanks for your honesty’ and looks to have listened. But Dutton is going to have to reckon with how many seats will be more vulnerable to Teals at the next election, given his own brand and role in this, especially perceived misinformation. The Libs need to win back Teal/Labor seats that used to be lock in Lib seats, and this won’t help them do so.
The voice was an obvious precursor to an Indigenous Treaty and reparations. Treaty is extremely unpopular in Australia, so its not surprising the Voice lost – especially during a cost of living crisis.
I am sure if there was an option to vote for “i do not know because misinformation has confused me”, Probably would of won by a land slide.
Sloppy messaging from the beginning doomed this vote.
I live in Australia and I voted yes. Downvote me for being in the minority, go ahead.
I am sad for the Indigenous Australians that it didn’t go through.
I also felt wrong as a citizen but a non-Indigenous person voting to decide on Indigenous Australian issues.
For the non-australian Global readers and viewers:
*Over the last decade, the Productivity Commission’s Indigenous Expenditure Reports (IER) have consistently shown that total Commonwealth, state and territory government* ***per capita expenditure on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is approximately double the per capita expenditure on non-Indigenous Australians.*** ***The Australian Government directly spends around 1.5 times as much on Indigenous people on a per-capita basis, or 1.64 times as much if indirect spending (via transfers to the states and territories) is included*** *(calculation based on IER 2017 supplementary data tables).*
This referendum was not about a racial group seeking equality, it was about seeking permanent racial advantage over the rest of the population. The majority voted against the proposal.
I added the link above to highlight that we spend a fortune on investing on the aboriginal Australians, and **what was being voted on was not a rejection of equality, but in fact was seeking to keep equality.**
The government is entirely to blame for it failing. Horrible messaging from the very beginning that, somehow, managed to get worse and worse as the campaign went on. Many of Australia’s largest corporations jumping aboard probably didn’t help, either. Australians are rather sceptical of big business at the best of times.
There’s also an argument to be made that the government should have just legislated it and not tried to change the constitution.
I am not Australian, but I don’t understand why anyone would vote no. Surely it is a good thing that indigenous people are recognised in the law of the country they live in. But then, what did this change actually achieve for the betterment those people?
Absolutely fucked it. Terrible news, an embarrassment on a global stage and a massive set back for Indigenous Aussies. My heart breaks for what could have been.
As a non-Australian reading about this for the first time, setting up a government body based on race seems batshit insane and extremely racist.
I’m surprised this even went for a vote. Are you guys okay down there?
I voted no. I grew up having local Aboriginal land councils claiming native title for “sacred land” then once having native title granted, immediately sold off such sacred land to developers to build luxury golf courses. Same goes for proposals to deforest bush to build a McDonald’s. They can be corrupted as fuck.
They didn’t even mention details as to how the advisory body would work? Kept the whole country in the dark. Was incredibly divisive.
Croney capitalism maskerading as social progress.
I really don’t think it was that complicated.
The yes message seemed pretty clear and simple to me. I’m not saying it was perfect though. However the fear campaign run by Mr potato Head and his cronies did its job.
A quick question – if the aboriginals will now go on a killing spree, burning babies and raping women, will this too be justified and celebrated openly in the west?
Unsurprising from the Australians. Not much love for aboriginals out there
31 comments
I’m ashamed to be Aussie today.
we are such a backwards country sometimes
Well, that’s disappointing.
I’m heartbroken and embarrassed as an Australian.
The people have spoken. As disappointed as I am by the result, I respect our democratic process. Still can’t help but feel like misinformation was the victor today.
[deleted]
Never expected it to pass and glad it didn’t as a no voter
Much like Brexit, misinformation is the only winner here.
What do you expect when it was positioned by the government as “this will make a material difference to indigenous people’s lives” but also “don’t worry it won’t actually change anything” to dissuade people from voting no.
Coupled with pitching it via endorsements from some of the companies most guilty of gouging consumers during a cost of living crisis…
Has to be one of, if not the biggest political own goals in Australian political history. To say nothing of the actual negative impacts it has and will continue causing to indigenous people.
Hardly a surprise. The democratic process has worked,  and the people have spoken. The bar was set very high and the Yes campaign fell far short of anything like 50:50 in the population – referendums are historically doomed in Australia anyway.
No matter how positive the intention was, setting up a body which could only be elected by a single ethnic group, to represent those views to the exclusion of others, was inherently divisive. On top of that, misinformation and bigotry further supported the No campaign (as well as the admittedly excellent “Don’t know? Vote No” slogan).
The polling was clear, people support better outcomes and inclusivity for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island peoples, but not through a racially segregated process.
Full recognition and equity will have to take a different route and must bring along all peoples to a brighter future
This is what happens when you try to change the constitution, but refuse to outline how it will be used afterwards beyond “trust us”. They should have at least had the proposed bill for The Voice ready, so people could know how it would work at least initially under the current government.
They couldn’t have done a worse job at handling the Yes campaign then they did. They started with over 60% support, and just would not handle any of the problems people kept pressing them about.
97% of the non-indigenous majority have determined the outcome for our 3% indigenous minority. Saying yes would have no affect on the 97% but potentially have changed the 3%’s loves for the better
The Government stuffed this up
As a yes voter, there are so many better things the government could have used their precious time on at the moment. Why housing isn’t the only thing being talked about is a mystery to me
“If you don’t know, vote no”
God forbid people fucking look up something in this age of overwhelming free information.
As a Melbournian, it’s heartening to see other Melbournians on board – especially given our progress in Victoria with our own work towards a treaty at a State level.
But, honestly, this was always going to happen with the Yes campaign leaning on public facing big business support during a cost of living crisis. Even in Melbourne, outer suburban seats chock full of lower SES voters are voting No, because the No campaign made this about doubts and whataboutism, not policy. I don’t genuinely believe clearer policy detail from Albo would have made all that much difference in light of the insane tactics of Yes, and genuinely if not for Briggs’ last minute effort, Yes might as well have not campaigned on this tbh.
As for the implications, I think this hurts the Libs long term. Labor can now focus on cost of living, and Albo can simply say ‘thanks for your honesty’ and looks to have listened. But Dutton is going to have to reckon with how many seats will be more vulnerable to Teals at the next election, given his own brand and role in this, especially perceived misinformation. The Libs need to win back Teal/Labor seats that used to be lock in Lib seats, and this won’t help them do so.
The voice was an obvious precursor to an Indigenous Treaty and reparations. Treaty is extremely unpopular in Australia, so its not surprising the Voice lost – especially during a cost of living crisis.
I am sure if there was an option to vote for “i do not know because misinformation has confused me”, Probably would of won by a land slide.
Sloppy messaging from the beginning doomed this vote.
I live in Australia and I voted yes. Downvote me for being in the minority, go ahead.
I am sad for the Indigenous Australians that it didn’t go through.
I also felt wrong as a citizen but a non-Indigenous person voting to decide on Indigenous Australian issues.
For the non-australian Global readers and viewers:
https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/BudgetReview201920/IndigenousAffairs
*Over the last decade, the Productivity Commission’s Indigenous Expenditure Reports (IER) have consistently shown that total Commonwealth, state and territory government* ***per capita expenditure on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is approximately double the per capita expenditure on non-Indigenous Australians.*** ***The Australian Government directly spends around 1.5 times as much on Indigenous people on a per-capita basis, or 1.64 times as much if indirect spending (via transfers to the states and territories) is included*** *(calculation based on IER 2017 supplementary data tables).*
This referendum was not about a racial group seeking equality, it was about seeking permanent racial advantage over the rest of the population. The majority voted against the proposal.
I added the link above to highlight that we spend a fortune on investing on the aboriginal Australians, and **what was being voted on was not a rejection of equality, but in fact was seeking to keep equality.**
The government is entirely to blame for it failing. Horrible messaging from the very beginning that, somehow, managed to get worse and worse as the campaign went on. Many of Australia’s largest corporations jumping aboard probably didn’t help, either. Australians are rather sceptical of big business at the best of times.
There’s also an argument to be made that the government should have just legislated it and not tried to change the constitution.
I am not Australian, but I don’t understand why anyone would vote no. Surely it is a good thing that indigenous people are recognised in the law of the country they live in. But then, what did this change actually achieve for the betterment those people?
Absolutely fucked it. Terrible news, an embarrassment on a global stage and a massive set back for Indigenous Aussies. My heart breaks for what could have been.
As a non-Australian reading about this for the first time, setting up a government body based on race seems batshit insane and extremely racist.
I’m surprised this even went for a vote. Are you guys okay down there?
I voted no. I grew up having local Aboriginal land councils claiming native title for “sacred land” then once having native title granted, immediately sold off such sacred land to developers to build luxury golf courses. Same goes for proposals to deforest bush to build a McDonald’s. They can be corrupted as fuck.
They didn’t even mention details as to how the advisory body would work? Kept the whole country in the dark. Was incredibly divisive.
Croney capitalism maskerading as social progress.
I really don’t think it was that complicated.
The yes message seemed pretty clear and simple to me. I’m not saying it was perfect though. However the fear campaign run by Mr potato Head and his cronies did its job.
A quick question – if the aboriginals will now go on a killing spree, burning babies and raping women, will this too be justified and celebrated openly in the west?
Unsurprising from the Australians. Not much love for aboriginals out there
I am ashamed of my fellow Australians