Australia Voice Referendum Results October 2023
The 2023 Australian Indigenous Voice referendum was held on 14 October 2023. Voters were asked if they approved an alteration to the Australian Constitution that would recognise Indigenous Australians in the document through prescribing a body called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.
The referendum failed to get either of the two majorities in favour that were both required for the Constitution to be changed: more than half of the total national votes, and more than half of the votes in more than half of the states.
The final results were:
- Yes: 39.6%
- No: 60.4%
The referendum failed in all but one state, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), where 62.9% voted yes. The highest yes vote in the other states was in Victoria, with 46.1%. The lowest yes vote was in Queensland, with 32.5%.
What is the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice?
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice is a proposed constitutional body that would give Indigenous Australians a formal say in government policy and programs that affect them. It would be a consultative body, meaning that it would not have the power to make decisions on its own, but would provide advice to the government on a range of issues.
The Voice would be made up of Indigenous Australians who would be elected by their communities. It would be independent of the government, and would have the power to initiate its own inquiries and reports.
Why was the referendum held?
The referendum was held as part of the Australian government's commitment to improving the lives of Indigenous Australians. The government believes that the Voice would give Indigenous Australians a stronger voice in government decision-making, and would help to close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
Why did the referendum fail?
There were a number of reasons why the referendum failed. One reason was that there was a lot of misinformation and disinformation circulating about the Voice in the lead-up to the referendum. This misinformation led some people to believe that the Voice would have more power than it actually would, or that it would be a third chamber of parliament.
Another reason for the referendum's failure was that the government did not have enough time to properly explain the Voice to the Australian public. The referendum was announced in December 2022, and was held just ten months later. This did not give the government enough time to educate voters about the Voice and its benefits.
Finally, the referendum failed because it was held during a time of economic uncertainty. Many Australians were worried about the rising cost of living and the war in Ukraine, and were not in the mood to vote for a change to the Constitution.
What does the referendum result mean for Indigenous Australians?
The referendum result is a setback for Indigenous Australians in their fight for recognition and self-determination. The failure of the referendum means that Indigenous Australians will not have a formal say in government policy and programs that affect them.
However, the referendum result does not mean that the fight for Indigenous rights is over. Indigenous Australians are determined to continue their fight for recognition and self-determination, and they will continue to work to close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
People Also Ask
What was the turnout for the referendum?
The turnout for the referendum was 77.7%. This is higher than the turnout for the last referendum, which was held in 1999.
Who voted yes to the referendum?
The people who voted yes to the referendum were a diverse group. They included Indigenous Australians, non-Indigenous Australians of all ages and backgrounds, and people from all over Australia.
Who voted no to the referendum?
The people who voted no to the referendum were also a diverse group. They included people who were concerned about the cost of the Voice, people who believed that it would give Indigenous Australians too much power, and people who were simply not convinced that it was necessary.
What happens next?
The Australian government has said that it will respect the outcome of the referendum. However, the government has also said that it remains committed to working with Indigenous Australians to improve their lives.
It is unclear what the government will do next. However, it is possible that the government will try to hold another referendum on the Voice in the future. It is also possible that the government will try to implement other measures to give Indigenous Australians a greater say in government decision-making.
Conclusion
The 2023 Australian Indigenous Voice referendum was a significant event in Australian history. It was the first time that Indigenous Australians had been asked to vote on a change to the Constitution.
Although the referendum failed, it was a positive step in the relationship between Indigenous Australians and the Australia.
