Australians have let down liberals once again, this time by voting down an amendment that would create an advisory board for the government for Indigenous citizens.
.@SkyNewsAust has called it. Australia has voted “NO” to racial division & racial privilege.
— Rita Panahi (@RitaPanahi) October 14, 2023
Massive result against the odds. Yes camp had the corporates, sporting bodies, academia, celebs & bulk of media. But Australia said NO.
Did they have one of those celebrity singalong TikTok videos? The vote was 60-40 against the "Voices" referendum nationwide. According to the BBC:
Supporters said that entrenching the Indigenous peoples into the constitution would unite Australia and usher in a new era.
No leaders said that the idea was divisive, would create special "classes" of citizens where some were more equal than others, and the new advisory body would slow government decision-making.
They were criticised over their appeal to undecided voters with a "Don't know? Vote no" message, and accused of running a campaign based on misinformation about the effects of the plan.
What? Conservatives running a campaign of misinformation? That's a new accusation. The Guardian's Lorena Allam hits all the buzzwords in her opinion piece lamenting the loss:
When bipartisanship, which had long been a feature of the push for Indigenous constitutional recognition, died in November last year even before the question was settled, the debate went downhill fast. It was neither respectful nor informed. It was vitriolic, mean-spirited, full of misinformation, driven by racism, petty grievances and conspiracy theories based on fear and ignorance. The referendum became by proxy a vote on Indigenous peoples’ right to exist in our own land – and our fellow Australians voted to reject us. Imagine – just try – how that feels today.
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"Misinformation, racism, vitriol, conspiracy theories, fear, and ignorance" won by a strong majority.
— Haole_Guy (@MauiGuy6) October 14, 2023
Big win.
— Brandon T (@BrandontGoat) October 14, 2023
Congrats Australia.
The fact that corporates and celebs were yelling to vote Yes is exactly why we must vote No.
— #TheGreatAwakening 🏴🇦🇺🇺🇸🌎 (@The95408134) October 14, 2023
Our Brexit 🎉🥳
— Ausländer (@seamusmateus) October 14, 2023
My faith in the Australian people has been confirmed. Sports codes, airlines, big businesses, hit songs etc have no influence. At least 60% of the people think for themselves.
— Lalith ramachandra (@lalithramachan1) October 14, 2023
I’m honestly surprised they even let us vote. I thought for sure they were going to rig this entire thing at the ballot box.
— K o n (@IAmMrEllis) October 14, 2023
The people of Australia have spoken. I wonder if the inner city socialist elites will heed the message.
— Nicholas Anthony (@nicholasanthony) October 14, 2023
So all Australian citizens remain Australian citizens covered by the same constitution.
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Update:
CNN reported that, according to "experts," voter slogans were designed to instill fear, despite "expert" advice.
This CNN paragraph describing the "No" vote on Australia's referendum is hilarious.
— Bonchie (@bonchieredstate) October 14, 2023
"Experts give expert advice while experting" pic.twitter.com/6XGsiG3eDX
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