AUSTRALIA: HEARTBREAKING RESULT AS VOICE REFERENDUM ‘NO’ VOTES PREVAIL

Responding to referendum results in Australia that failed to enshrine an Indigenous Voice to Parliament in the country’s constitution, Uncle Rodney Dillon, Palawa Elder and Amnesty International Australia First Nations Rights spokesperson said:

“The efforts for an Indigenous Voice to Parliament in Australia, which culminated in this referendum, span decades of tireless campaigning from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, some of whom did not live to see this historic vote. They courageously forged this path so that Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Australia could choose to walk together toward justice, healing and truth. 

“This heartbreaking result comes after rampant online disinformation in Australia about the consequences of the referendum, and the reverberation of the racist myth of “Terra Nullius”, the false premise of “nobody’s land” upon which Australia was colonised 235 years ago. 

“In the days, months and years ahead, Amnesty International will continue to draw inspiration and strength from the courage and dedication of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in their centuries-long fight for justice.  

“We will continue to support and work alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples for the protection and advancement of their human rights, and we reiterate our commitment to the human rights of First Nations Peoples in Australia and all over the world.”