Indigenous leaders call for week of silence after Australian referendum defeat

Critics of Anthony Albanese, Australia's prime minister, say the referendum is his biggest mistake since taking power last May. Photo: STRINGER/via REUTERS

Australia's Indigenous leaders have called for a week of silence after a referendum on constitutional recognition for First Nations was soundly rejected by a majority of the population.

More than 60 per cent of Australians voted 'no' in a landmark referendum on Saturday, the first in almost a quarter of a century to ask whether the constitution should be changed to recognize Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by creating an Indigenous advisory council. body, the Voice of Parliament.

The result is seen as a setback for reconciliation efforts with the country's Indigenous population, as well as for Australia's image around the world regarding its treatment of Indigenous people.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make up 3.8 per cent of the population of 26 million. and have inhabited Australia for about 60,000 years, but are not mentioned in the constitution and, by most socio-economic indicators, are the most disadvantaged people in the country.

“This is a bitter irony. It makes no sense that people who have lived on this continent for only 235 years refuse to acknowledge those whose home this land has been for 60,000 years or more,” the leaders said in a statement posted on social media.

Leaders said the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flag would be lowered to half mast this week in recognition of the referendum result.

“The referendum was a chance for newcomers to show the grace and gratitude they have long been denied, and to recognize that the cruel dispossession of our people has secured all their advantages in this country,” the statement said.

Anthony Albanese Australia's Prime Minister invested significant political capital in the Vote referendum, but his critics say it was his biggest mistake since taking power last May.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said, that it was a referendum «that Australia did not need» and that it only led to the division of the nation.

However, one of the main reasons for the referendum defeat was the lack of bipartisan support from the leaders of the main Conservative parties. parties favoring a No vote.

No referendum in Australia has passed without bipartisan support.

“Much will be asked about the role of racism and prejudice against Indigenous people in this result,” the leaders said in a statement.

“The only thing we ask is that every Australian who votes in this election gives this issue serious thought.”