It began with 7 News once again broadcasting a story about the Voice Referendum. “A date has been set now, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese today announcing that the referendum will be held on October 14,” the reporter began her segment.
At the time, they said every Australian would have a once-in-a-generation chance to bring our country together and change it for the better.
“Yes” supporters contended that a successful vote would ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are listened to and have a say on policies impacting them. “No” opponents, meanwhile, claimed the Voice was “legally risky, with unknown consequences,” and argued that the Voice either goes too far or not far enough.
At that point, I wasn’t sure who to believe.
Fast forward to now, two weeks post-referendum, and I’m still not sure. Both sides had compelling arguments, but in the end, Australia voted with a resounding “No.”
The PM, in a speech on Saturday night following the referendum results, called for unity and for Australians to show kindness to each other.
“Just as the Uluru Statement from the Heart was an invitation extended with humility, grace, and optimism for the future, tonight we must meet this result with the same grace and humility. And tomorrow we must seek a new way forward with the same optimism.” He then went on to talk about this not being the end of the road nor the end of efforts to bring people together.
And I believe he is right. If we give up now, the current rift in Australian society may never be healed.
In certain social circles, I would not disclose my vote for fear of hostility or social rejection. After all, in my home state of Queensland, 69% voted No in the failed referendum. Perhaps though, I didn’t research thoroughly enough, or maybe I listened to the wrong people? I heard on a podcast a guest speaker comment – “How can there be so much hostility towards a body that will simply advise the Parliament on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples? It will have no powers whatsoever.” This perspective summed it up perfectly for me – where did this hostility to a Voice with no powers come from?
Voting in Australia is compulsory for Australian Citizens aged 18 and over, and we risk fines if we don’t cast a vote (I know from experience in my younger days.) This means that the result of a referendum in Australia is a real representation of the people of Australia. So, is this a glimpse into deep-seated racism in Australian culture? Or simply evidence of a vast majority who voted no, because they didn’t believe in a “Voice?,” because they believed that the body wouldn’t be effective in improving respect and equality for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and didn’t want a token gesture in place of something real.
In the end (with votes counted so far) the referendum was lost No to Yes approximately 60% to 40%. It’s a decisive result that sends a clear message. It will make further progress far harder if most of the country appears not to want to do anything to alleviate the systemic suffering of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
For many First Nations people, the results are devastating, but they maintain the fight for justice and their rights will continue. We must have hope and I think we do have a bright future ahead of us, working together as one nation.
At times I try to view it through the lens of an Indigenous Australian, to try and feel what they might be feeling. Is it heartbreak and a feeling of being let down by the government and the wider population? Or is it simply anger and a feeling of betrayal? A confirmation of where all other Australians place you – on the bottom rung of the ladder of Aussie society.
Everyday life has continued here in Brisbane. As the weather warms up, you can take a walk through Southbank and you will find families enjoying the not quite crystal clear waters of the beach, or a young couple out for a dinner date. Others visit that trendy café just down the road and enjoy the best of local produce in their big brekky! Gone are the TV advertisements arguing for and against the Voice, gone are the political supporters pushing their pamphlets on you as you try to enter the local school and cast your vote. Gone are the rallies through the streets of the CBD, disrupting traffic and most likely angering the very people they are trying to persuade to their cause.
Brisbane is a relatively young city, only formally named in 1825. It’s modern, frequently ranked highly in lists of the world’s most livable cities. Brisbane is also diverse, with over 32% of its 2.6 million population being foreign-born. Some major landmarks and attractions include South Bank Parklands, GOMA, the Story Bridge, the Mount Coot-tha Botanic Gardens and Lookout, and the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Just off the coast are Moreton, Bribie, and Stradbroke Islands – fantastic destinations for anyone who loves nature and the beach. It’s also home to the best rugby league team in the country – the Brisbane Broncos! (If you are ever in Brisbane, make sure you see a game at Suncorp Stadium.)
I’ve spent much of my life growing up and living in and around Brisbane, it’s the place I love to call home. That won’t change despite the result of the Voice referendum. But maybe now, sometimes anyway, I will look at the person walking towards me down the street and wonder what they voted for, and if they wish they could go back and change it. Or if they are happy with their choice, no matter the reason why. The result will be perceived by many as a significant setback to reconciliation in Australia, but with considerable optimism, I feel the journey is only just beginning.
Kris Nugent
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