Australia launches constitutional referendum on Indigenous recognition

Australia’s Senate has approved legislation to hold a referendum on Indigenous rights, clearing the final procedural hurdle for a public vote that would ensure recognition of the country’s Indigenous population in the constitution and strengthen their representation in Canberra. Will do

The Senate on Monday voted 52 to 19 in favor of making a constitutional amendment open to the people, despite strong opposition from some members of the House. The vote, described by its supporters as crucial to Australia’s national identity, must now take place within the next six months and is expected in October.

The campaign to officially recognize Australia’s Indigenous population and set up an independent body that could advise Canberra on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities were among the Labor Party’s central policy promises before being elected last year was one of

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese appealed for unity over the referendum, which he called “a chance to make our nation even greater”.

“Parliament passes laws, but it is the people who make history,” he said after the Senate vote. “This is your time, your chance, your opportunity to be a part of making history.”

The passage of the law was greeted with applause from the public galleries. But support for “Voices”, as the advisory panel is known, had been declining in recent months, according to opinion polls. Opponents have raised concerns about the lack of detail, how much power the body would manage and whether it was a symbolic move that would not have a meaningful impact on the lives of the mostly rural indigenous population.

Tensions are also rising in anticipation of the vote, with a rise in online racial abuse of Indigenous activists and public figures.

Linda Burney, Indigenous Australian minister and a veteran campaigner for Aboriginal rights, said: “It’s not about symbolism or symbolism, it’s common sense. For too long, Indigenous Australians have fared consistently worse than non-Indigenous Australians have been

“It’s a broken system. And Voice is our best chance to fix it because when we listen to people on the ground and get advice from local people, they make better decisions and get better results.”

The Senate was not unified during the debate before the vote to kick-start the Voice campaign.

Michaelia Cash, a senator from the opposition Liberal Party, said the proposed constitutional amendment was “divisive” and would end “equality of citizenship” in the country.

Lydia Thorpe, an Indigenous senator who left the minority Greens party over Voice’s support, shouted “Happy Assimilation Day” at rival politicians. Thorpe has pushed for Australia to adopt a treaty that ensures the sovereignty of its indigenous populations in line with laws in Canada and New Zealand, rather than setting up an advisory body.

The opposition Liberal and National parties have adopted a “no” position on the referendum, reducing its chances of success. Referendums on constitutional amendments in Australia face a high bar for receiving bipartisan support, and most have failed.