'We never meant you harm': Australian Indigenous leaders lament referendum loss

Australians have resoundingly rejected a proposal to recognise Aboriginal people in the country’s constitution and establish a body to advise parliament on Indigenous issues.
Saturday’s voice to parliament referendum failed, with the defeat clear shortly after polls closed.
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To succeed, the yes campaign - advocating for the change - needed to secure a double majority, meaning it needed a majority of the national vote, as well as majorities in four of Australia’s six states.
The defeat will be seen by Indigenous advocates as a blow to what has been a hard-fought struggle to progress reconciliation and recognition in modern Australia, with First Nations people continuing to suffer discrimination and poorer health and economic outcomes. More than 17 million Australians were enrolled for the compulsory vote, with many expats visiting embassies around the world in the weeks leading up to Saturday’s poll
Australia rejects proposal to recognise Indigenous people in constitution.
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#Australia #FirstNation #VoiceToParliament #IndigenousAustralians #News

[@1lanno]

Our Prime Minister said in his speech, "Today, we are not yes voters, we are not no voters, we are Australian...This will not divide or define us!" But that's exactly what this referendum has done.

[@MJC22.03]

Then just don't let it divide us. We can all do something to help without permission from a governing body . ANY issues if brought to the forefront could be assisted this way. The difficulty might be which issue and where to start. Yep a lack of detail o k but as Albanese did say - To bring the whole country to the table for a question At least everyone will be more conscious of the issue.

[@gloriaplatt6349]

Doesn't mean it, he will say the opposite tomorrow, if ALP ever want to be considered legitimate get rid of the liar!

[@yarndy]

'THE VOICE VOTE' Highest numbers of 'NO' votes came from regional and rural areas where the largest populations of indigenous people are located, so we find that the majority of the 'YES' votes came from the Inner suburbs! (Greens, Teals & Labor electorate areas)

[@alanho6814]

I really don't like this conservative talking point of division as if voters weren't already divided in values before the vote or even before the issue was raised, thus ultimately voted differently. I can't see how the facade of harmony or unity can be valuable other than some conservative fantasy related to the aesthetics of an orderly harmonious monolithic society.

[@iss2075]

It's not the referendum's fault people were divided. They were divided before. Until you get rid of this new definition of racism once and for all, people will always be divided.

[@zognaldblormpf5127]

For these activists it was never about aboriginal disadvantage, its about political power.

[@frandyson6133]

They were their before Australia

[@jacquelinevlee2918]

Absolutely agree with you. Well said!!!.

[@thatdognotthepuppy5809]

... Yes, the political power that they undeservedly lack. That's kind of the point.

[@vegetableman3911]

@@thatdognotthepuppy5809well when the majority of voters voted against their ‘lack’ of political power, it shows they don’t have the necessary resources for said political power to be wielded effectively.

[@davidrenton]

@@frandyson6133 so White people in the UK where there before Black people, you suggesting White people should get a privileged political representation because of their colour or history. I mean if it's ok for the Aussies.

[@michaelfreedman4161]

How does a nation grieve when we voted overwhelmingly for what we wanted

[@georgiacompton7427]

Scammers, tricksters have been exposed and seen to be exploiters of their own Indigenous people: they should grieve and mourn for turning the tide back to a division based on race, ancestry, colonialism and hatred. Australians, especially the everyday battling Indigenous and non Indigenous want: equality, freedom of expression/a voice, peace, respect, dignity and unity.

[@michaelbee8263]

Because we’ve cemented the extinction of our aboriginal population

[@Osindileyo1]

⁠@@michaelbee8263because Australia voted no on giving specific people more power over a democratic system based on the colour of their skin?

[@JoaoSilva-so7df]

Best comment. I don't even know much about this debate and I have no dog on the fight, but this is perfect.

[@johnk-pc2zx]

@@michaelbee8263 typical hysterics.

[@modalah7566]

"We are not taking NO for an answer...." is a statement of arrogance and denial of the Australian process.

[@mspenelope6874]

$40 billion industry 😂

[@goldenautumn3073]

Shows their TRUE colours, and their 'great care and love' for other Australians (the OTHER 97% of us)! I think this sickening 'campaign' has fully revealed that all they think about is THEMSELVES and what they can GET.

[@martino2794]

Their shakedown didn't succeed; now he's really angry

[@SicDrykEst]

I mean that's how "Australian" "democracy" was installed in the first place

[@leviwallace9647]

@@SicDrykEstthe people have spoken. Accept it

[@Dave-Rough-Diamond-Dunn]

Maybe the people receiving money to help the Aboriginal population should actually do what they've been getting rich by pretending to do!

[@oftin_wong]

It's up to the parents to break the cycle but they care about nothing

[@arclux]

Say no to protected classes. Say no to segregation. Say no to institutional racism.

[@shanelambert6192]

The people have spoken. Racial politics have no place in the constitution.

[@PlurCo]

Stop being racist to the people who got to Australia first then. Learn logic next time.

[@JC-lu4se]

@@PlurCo So there's a racial hierarchy based on when you arrived? Australia has been trying to get rid of that racist thinking for years, and here's you waving a banner for it?

[@PlurCo]

@@JC-lu4se Well then don't put immigrants on an island.

[@user-qw2oh4zq1h]

By voting No, Australia practise the racist policy like Israel.

[@jamescroft1522]

​@user-jn8wi3vf8q so does that mean the crocodiles are in charge because they've been there since the dinosaurs?.

[@Joeonline26]

Notice how it's all appeal to emotion. Not a single fact brought forward about how The Voice would actually have addressed/solved any of the issues in Indigenous communities. The government proposing the Voice have also consciously avoided discussing how much the Voice would cost, because they have no clue.

[@laborincana4490]

You have no clue about recognizing original people’s rights.

[@Joeonline26]

@@laborincana4490 You are clearly utterly clueless about what the actual INTENT of the Voice was. That is, what was being proposed. Luckily, most of the population were rational, well-informed voters. Hence the success of the No vote. Wipe away those tears buddy

[@RTOneZer0]

@@laborincana4490 You have no clue of how democracy works. By the way, it's not "original" people, it's indigenous people. Don't you worry, they have the same rights as any Australian.

[@geordiewishart1683]

What rights do other Australians have that the aboriginals don't?

[@harryricochet8134]

@@laborincana4490 You'd think that after failing so catastrophically by relying upon insults, racist tropes and dog whistling to attempt to persuade people to vote for the Voice, you'd now consider trying another tactic to score a win but apparently the oldest habits remain the hardest to break for some. Do better, much, much better there, huge fail for you. Again.

[@larryhamikton99]

Thats what you get when you base a campaign on emotion

[@deanpd3402]

The left place feelings above facts. Always have and always will do.

[@goldenautumn3073]

And the world's peace would have been greatly enabled had NO political campaign been allowed 'run' on mere emotion. It's the intelligent operation of logic and RATIONALITY that has to govern intellectual decisions, NOT emotion.

[@dovets]

It's what you get when activists take over the rhetoric!

[@T5r2]

How dare he say no voters have hardened hearts. How dare they say no voters did not know what we were voting for. Its disgusting

[@linuxnoob8065]

Well said

[@erlockruuziik7237]

To be fair, I doubt many people had time to read the actual hundreds-of-pages-long document.

[@freedomvivian3139]

Well Albo told 3AW radio that he didnt read past page one. Albo didn't so "why would I "? @@erlockruuziik7237

[@Majestros]

Typical lefty. They always view the other side as truly evil people. He most likely hasn't had a discussion about this with a no voter.

[@unbearableunbearable2740]

@@erlockruuziik7237 Especially when it had to be released by a FOI request.

[@BarefootBeekeeper]

This would have made racial divisiveness permanent in Australia. The right decision.

[@jamessmyth5949]

Before the voice refurendum, in Western Australia the aboriginal heritage act was amended. Then suddenly farmers were required to pay Aboriginal consultants $150 an hour to obtain permits to do anything on their land. Also David Collard CEO of an aboriginal corporation demanded $2.5 million dollars so 2 tree planting events could go ahead both of which he never had any authority to request such payments for. Then they wonder why the Yes vote failed in that state.

[@goldenautumn3073]

By even letting this 'yes' debacle, a total INSULT to any intelligent or thinking Australian, get off the ground, there has been a GIGANTIC gap of wrongdoing caused that breach the Constitutional rights of all other Australians. It was an absolute shock to realise this has been allowed and encouraged by someone professing to be no less than a Prime Minister of a democratic country, and then learn of the outright lies and deception he used to cover up the truth about it. Truly alarming, Australia.

[@yasi4877]

A scandalous situation that would become nationwide if YES had succeeded.

[@S.huddo-db3ew]

It's all about defrauding government funds thru Aboriginal organisation it's a big scam trust me

[@arcticbunyip5005]

The people have spoken, racial politics are destructive and whether you like it or not people are sick of the rhetoric and actually want actions and accountability not more words

[@tausifnazim5048]

the biggest problem of 21st century is developed first world countries are inventing new problems that nevet existed before. Political correctness is a curse.

[@blindbrad4719]

So is ignorance

[@goldenautumn3073]

100% right.

[@NoTaboos]

It's the HR department mentality. Change management professionals have no function if nothing needs changing.

[@honahwikeepa2115]

Hegel's Dialectical Methodology.

[@spanishfr8]

One word “Accountability” Where has all the money gone?

[@davidcarter4247]

In 1999 the republic referendum gave us a model, which was basically swapping out the GG for a president but appointed by two thirds of the parliament in an effort to make it less political. It was rejected because the "elected president" proponents voted it down. In 2023 the Voice referendum gave us nothing, only a concept. Who the Voice would be , how they would be appointed, and what their powers were would be decided the government. It was totally political process with political objectives. Albanese could have split the question - recognition and a voice and probably would have succeeded in the first. The fact he didn't shows those political objectives were paramount. Australians smelled a rat.

[@awuma]

I'm amazed at how completely undefined the Voice was in the proposed amendment. Why?

[@SanctusPaulus1962]

​@@awuma Because not even Albo knew how the voice was going to work. Nobody knew. Their idea was just to get it into the constitution so that it's permanent and then they'll just figure the rest out later. They had no plan. It's no wonder why so many Australians rejected it.

[@tamaveirene]

And it stinks!

[@goldenautumn3073]

Because there IS a rat!

[@goldenautumn3073]

He knew EXACTLY what he was doing. But your comment regarding 'just get it in' is correct. The REAL agenda could not be revealed to Australia because it was one DEPRIVING all other Australians of their constitutional rights! So he lied to conceal that truth! And it would change our Constitution so that WHATEVER future changes ANY political leader or Party wanted, could then be added - that's the legal precedent that would have been set by making just ONE change to ONE clause in the Constitution! NOBODY should ever take such a proposal or intention to alter our Constitution wtihout the most SERIOUS debate and consideration being made by ALL, for however long may be needed. If the Constitution is changed, the change CAN'T BE REVERSED and if accepted and passed, it will govern the lives of ALL Australians FOREVER after. That's how SERIOUS this move has been and it is amazing that most Australians aren't even aware of it.

[@d4rrylexmachina]

Make your real change transparently through the democratic process. NO special council or voice for any privileged people

[@gcc4305]

That's something Albo fell down on, to start with....He Claimed " transparency" from his election speech????

[@CHuzz7777]

So reassuring that it was a clean sweep. Well done Australia. Never let these people divide you.

[@somthingbrutal]

you mean the people whos country it actually is

[@quillo2747]

​@@somthingbrutalAustralia is a country founded by Europeans, there was no aboriginal state they were hunter gatherers when the Europeans showed up. The aboriginals have the same rights and are full Australian citizens. This referendum was all about sowing division in that society instead of treating everyone equal. Thankfully it was a massive rejection of a racial policy

[@CHuzz7777]

@@somthingbrutal A laughably pointless response. If equality isn’t enough for you then you’re on the wrong side of history.

[@user-dn6yh8jr1o]

ok so my anvcestors would be classed as british indian i guess englandis my country and ill make sure i take over !! thanks for confirming@@quillo2747

[@JC-lu4se]

@@somthingbrutal Past tense - WAS.

[@Rattyman577]

My faith in the Aussies has been restored, well done 👏

[@James-kv6kb]

We haven't won the grand final we've only stopped The corruption getting worse. The blackfellas are still living in the three western states in the most disgusting conditions on earth because of the corruption, but of course that's not important now because there's no competition.

[@goldenautumn3073]

Mine also.

[@cbfdxbxsb]

Because we've proven we're a bunch of flogs who won't grant our first nation's people the bare minimum of respect?

[@James-kv6kb]

@@cbfdxbxsb If it were just about the respect it would have been a Landslide but suddenly we've got people coming out of the woodworks wanting to take over our political system and that's not going to happen.

[@JC-lu4se]

@@cbfdxbxsb Where does the respect end, mate? Nothing but respect.

[@richardtravers8772]

Time now for a full independent audit, of every cent of the 30 billion dollars each and every year that is spent on our First nation People.

[@goldenautumn3073]

ABSOLUTELY!

[@nikorri6373]

Paying the rent😂

[@throwaway6478]

I really hate the term "first nations people". "Nations" implies they had systems of government, citizenship, legal codes, territories they held and controlled, etc. They had none of these things: they were nomadic hunter-gatherers, that killed whatever they wanted whenever they wanted, including each other. It's like calling the Mafia "a nation".

[@hanyattia1665]

A great day for Australia . Wokes are seething

[@RTOneZer0]

💯

[@Tinywars]

Right decision. Identity politics and race based politics have no place in a free society. You treat everyone the same.

[@dontes5009]

Why can’t they have a voice if they are live there and have been there? How is that racist 😂

[@Power_Prawnstar]

Because they're the only one. Not that hard to get your head around why the majority of Australia said no.

[@percy832]

@@dontes5009 because once you start dividing ppl along racial lines you become a racist. That is the exact definition of a racist.

[@bruceli9094]

The Yes camp divided Australia. The NO camp united Australia. VICTORY 🇳🇿🇳🇿🇳🇿🇳🇿💪🌭🇺🇲

[@JBroMCMXCI]

Something is sincerely wrong with those who take issue with the democratic process

[@romangryg8200]

Go capitalism

[@James-kv6kb]

We cannot have white Aboriginal people sitting on all the committee's spending all the money on themselves that's supposed to be going to the bush

[@SanctusPaulus1962]

​@@romangryg8200 Capitalism has nothing to do with democracy

[@mspenelope6874]

It’s a tribal society. They don’t like democracy and that’s why their leaders’ get away with so much exploitation and corruption.

[@toucan4547]

@@SanctusPaulus1962except the results

[@darrylbaker5271]

Now the government must be held accountable. Albo tried to handball that accountability to another organization.

[@Facetiously.Esoteric]

Just opnly racist now your hate filled vote went your way?

[@king_kiff3969]

you can keep repeating the lie but it won't come true, we voted no to NOT divide the country. Yes was a vote FOR racism.@@Facetiously.Esoteric

[@Username-yt4mh]

@@Facetiously.Esotericthis is what you do.. people don’t agree with you and their racist… no wonder you lost. Hate in your heart. How would a constitutional change help anything? The government already has all the power, tools and money they need to fix the issues. This was a waste of time and money.

[@stevepollard4783]

Albo and Linda Burney should now both stand down.

[@deanpd3402]

After a solid night on the grog, Linda would need to pick herself up off the floor first. A no result would have been a lovely excuse for her to get on the turps.

[@derekhowells8371]

“Yes23” referendum mistakes: 1. Thomas Mayo 2. Marcia Langton 3. Linda Berney 4. Megan Davis 5. Teela Reed 6. Albosleezy “Failure is never quite so frightening as regret”

[@JC-lu4se]

I was legitimately confused which side they were on as they helped the No campaign immensely.

[@richardgray115]

Number 2 was really arrogant and awful. Perhaps well numbered 😂

[@cormoran2303]

When the channel 7 debate showed Albanese saying he hadn't even bothered to read his beloved uluru statement the graph showing audience sentiment nearly dropped right off the screen! 😄 It was a true "Nobody Liked That" moment. Albo was the Yes campaigns worst nightmare.

[@tonybloomfield5635]

With all due respect to you and your great list, Linda Burney clearly ranked #1. I feel for the Aboriginals in real need having her as minister.

[@martino2794]

The most ludicrously facile slogan: "When we listen we make better decisions". They don't seem to want to listen now they've lost

[@steph2137]

I couldn’t be happier with Australia right now and I’m part abo 🥳

[@Mantras-and-Mystics]

Me too. Grand dad's full blood. But I love Australia and don't want us to be at war with each other.

[@beepbeep6861]

It's ok for people to have this mindset but what about the first people, that don't, you don't care as long as it's not affecting you hey. 😢

[@alienatedjam5767]

​@beepbeep6861 I think that's how nature goes as intended. Natural selection, survival of the fittest

[@beepbeep6861]

@@alienatedjam5767 What a cruel way of thinking, our first people are part of man, like us all.

[@BillBarr4President]

@@beepbeep6861 the 'first people' get more opportunities than you can poke a stick at.

[@mrtron7837]

The only state in the country that had a majority Yes vote was ACT, Canberra. A city that has a population of 500,000 full of rich bureaucrats. They only wanted money but failed, now they’re crying about it.

[@RTOneZer0]

ACT Canberra is like Washington DC, full of lifelong bureaucrats whose quests for power, money, red tapes, and more bureaucracy are insatiable.

[@primrose62]

um ACT is a territory not a state and obviously you've never been to the Australian capital of Canberra cause if you had you'd know its not "full of rich bureaucrats" - maybe stick to commenting on things you actually know about ?

[@NoTaboos]

Full of public servants, you mean!

[@primrose62]

@@NoTaboos no not full of public servants - there are also lots of other industries in the ACT !!

[@NoTaboos]

@@primrose62 With public service contracts?

[@donaldwingent547]

Aussies love team sports , we demand a set of rules , with a level playing field which is clearly marked and well illuminated . For a Prime Minister to call a Referendum without meeting the same standard , caused great concern to many .The millions of dollars spent to push the vote in favour of the Yes campaign was also extremely troubling .The celebrity public endorsements became outright annoying . Quite frankly the organisers overplayed their hand , causing suspicion and creating a public backlash .

[@Facetiously.Esoteric]

Said the racist openly in public to be logged by ASIO, FBI, and MI6. Enjoy joining that watchlist with other racist extremists.

[@terryjross1184]

This has created so much division but now all are aware of how incompetent albanese is

[@ChogTheGreat]

The referendum was requested by indigenous people, not Albanese.

[@ChogTheGreat]

@trudybarton4150 the "elite" .... sounds spooky 👻

[@macsmith6216]

Did anyone really think a bigoted country was going vote yes How could only 4% of the population win this

[@richardparkersmith4810]

Well done Australia, these sore losers had all the money, luvvies and media on their side and the lost and must accept that.

[@billhesford6098]

The media is the ugliest beast used to manipulate the masses. They lost this one.

[@vegetableman3911]

even though I’m not opposed to the outcome of the vote, your use of ‘sore losers’ has me cackling fr

[@lumina-lofi]

Bit of a bogan Rich?

[@pm2886]

I love that you said 'luvvies'. It's funny because it's troooo!

[@pm2886]

@@lumina-lofi Ah ... yes, because every NO voter must be a bogan.

[@glennshewin9788]

Well done Australia! 👏👏👏👏👏

[@user-go5ld2pv9k]

Way to gloat.

[@jackomac940]

Your welcome hahahaha

[@charlesjames799]

It’s a democratic vote accept the outcome that’s how democracy works.

[@darrylmackie9184]

It's ashame The Democratic Election of a Government doesn't Work.

[@Kathakathan11]

Then democracy must fall😂lol. China will do that to you.

[@jeanclaudejunior]

Any referendum is fine but that one and Brexit are so fraudulent

[@makeitsonumberone1358]

Tell that to the brexit remoaners

[@romanboxing3959]

@@Kathakathan11Not! 😂 Commies lose! 😂😂😂

[@winstonz]

Why do the Yes crowd seem so hateful?

[@Adeon55]

Because they are.

[@neilrowe119]

But the most aboriginal states had the biggest gaps between yes and no. And plenty of indigenous representation voted no

[@georgiacompton7427]

It's clear that 200 clans have not shared equally in conversations and funding. It could be that even the most remote and marginalised want a united Australia, furthermore, don't see themselves victims of colonisation. How about we hear the Indigenous voices of those governments and elite Indigenous have overlooked while claiming their support.

[@zoomerboomer3109]

This, many of the full blooded aborigines, realised that they were being taken advantage of not to persue aboriginal interests but rather for the government and media to further consolotate power against the Australia people.

[@gloriaplatt6349]

I spoke to many before the vote they all told me they wanted to be treated the same they didn't want to be treated differently, I was called a liar over and over by the hateful yes voters who nearly caused me having a break down, I tell the truth, Albanese has lied to every Australian because he lies he thinks everyone else does he's so wrong

[@reginaldforthright805]

We need a 2 state solution. The descendants of the penal colony get greater Australia and the rest of you get the great sandy.

[@420styletomatoes6]

C c c c c can't we all just get along, can't we all just be friends?

[@Ozymandias83]

‘We will never mean you no harm’ - slip of the tongue i hope

[@joycelee1807]

Spelling d hidden truth actually...

[@RTOneZer0]

Freudian slip.

[@Adeon55]

Yeah, I noticed that.

[@bernie8987]

The activists want control and dominance not reconciliation, it was never about recognition and always about making Australian citizens pay

[@wsrtwetr]

i mean just look at the gender debate. we have no history of funding for treatments that are not base on evidence, but somehow when it comes to people needing gender reassignment surgery - with little to no longitudinal studies, medicare pays some of it...

[@moose9701]

NOW GET BACK TO WORK ABS!!!!

[@gw7120]

I have never seen such sore losers , a referendum is the best form of democracy in action , the people voted , accept it.

[@justinyang21114798]

Actually sort of no. Historically referendum is often used by dictatorship to justify their own actions and in recent years there have also been a series of referendum used to justify terrible decision, *cough brexit...

[@NoWindNoSunNoPower]

In the UK the Remoaners are still moaning.

[@user-es5rz8wv7u]

You want me to accept the continued marginalization of my people, the increasing premature deaths and deaths in custody, the continued waste of taxpayers money going down the drain, feeding many non-indigenous hangers-oners who skim all the cream from the industry.

[@laborincana4490]

Democracy for the criminal’s descendants…

[@geordiewishart1683]

Cry me a river, labo the abo

[@vikroy3777]

This reminds me of SNP, no interest in referendums unless they win

[@RecoveringAhole]

Australia has spoken!! Sending love from America 🇺🇸 ❤

[@anthonywillis7634]

The No vote didn’t stop funding from going to Aboriginal people it simply stopped Aboriginal from having a real say about how it should be used.

[@tahanaparker2660]

Bwahahahahaha😂😂😂, Aussie Aussie Aussie OH OH OH 😂😂😂😂

[@squidjames7735]

hows joe?

[@user-le9yq7if6s]

Guardian "Australia rejects proposal to recognise Indigenous people in constitution" Yet every indigen voted which is total inclusion, nothing better than that. 1967 Ref all the loopholes were closed A record 90pc of Aussies approved of this. There is NO exclusion.

[@smith5312]

It seems people voted YES without knowing what they are voting for and people voted NO because they wanted to know what they were voting for. 🤔

[@avantiiresha6687]

Most of my friends (non-white) voted “yes” because they said “it would make aboriginal feel nice”. When will people learn to look things practically and not emotionally? It’s nice to be emotional, but not nice to be emotional when it comes to politics..

[@topofthemorning6832]

Both sides of this debate have been an absolute joke in the way they've handled this. This is so much more embarrassing than Turnbulls postal plebiscite

[@-opus]

A lot of people voted no because the Liberal party said "If you don't know, vote no". If you are that ignorant and apathetic you shouldn't be voting (or breeding).

[@colinjones5100]

@@-opus People voted with their brain. To think otherwise is just being a sore loser. It would have made NO difference to the lower end of the indigenous population as they always had a voice but only at the top elite shelf and that is where all the 40 billion a year goes. Well done to the sensible Australians.

[@-opus]

@@colinjones5100 Approximately 60% of Australians voted the same as Pauline Hanson, a very well known racist. If you have no issue with that, it says a great deal about you.

[@Christine-ry1qq]

Not an Aussie But well done for seeing through their BS … great result for Australia 🇦🇺

[@stuartgraham8946]

👍

[@robertwright4603]

When I visited Austalia l thought you Australians were a great people, mind you I was a little bit wary of the white ones.

[@gcsehistorylessons8465]

“I have no idea what this is about but the brown people’s stance is automatically BS”

[@annanudniduck]

What? Where are you from?

[@raavenzen6100]

Guardian, get another job, journalism isn't for you

[@Joeonline26]

Today the ENTIRE country said NO to a racist, divisive 'voice' suggested by the current government. Accept the will of the people and move on. You got it wrong

[@laborincana4490]

And what is te correct alternative? Would you recognize rights of the original people as the true owners of the land?

[@crown9413]

@@laborincana4490 No, and they don’t own the land.

[@RTOneZer0]

​@@laborincana4490 They don't own anything. The only thing that they hang on is their ancestors were here before anyone else. They have the same rights as all Australians. They've been duly recognised by the government and private organisations. *'I begin today by acknowledging the people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we today, and pay my respects to their Elders past and present. I extend that respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples here today.'* Happy now?

[@harryricochet8134]

@@laborincana4490 That depends on whether they will recognise the rights of Adam and Eve or even the Woggle as the true original owners of the land. See anyone can be utterly obtuse, it doesn't require a lot of thought which is probably why it comes so very naturally to you. Cope harder.

[@Facetiously.Esoteric]

​@@harryricochet8134And another for you as well.

[@RTOneZer0]

Looking into the voting patterns, areas with the highest Indigenous populations have overwhelmingly opposed the Voice. If voting No is racist as some seem to have suggested, then why the indigenous people reject the referendum? Are they racist to themselves, too?

[@johnkauppi7078]

Its a tribal thing.The tribes that in the Voice will get all money,other unconnected mobs will get zip.Aborigines have never shared well.

[@Power_Prawnstar]

not entirely true, I think it polled pretty high in remote communities, but not so high in the communities closer to the cities or inner-city indigenous folk.

[@hornetpilot1817]

What John said. Aboriginals have always warred against each other. But we're led to believe a single Voice will encompass the different tribes lol

[@notalefty999]

You are misinterpreting that statistic. Its not the Aborigines who voted no overwhelmingly. They voted in favour of it. Its the whites who have the most direct experience of Aborigines who voted no overwhelmingly. They likely had the sense to realise that giving exceptional political rights to petrol sniffers wasn't a great idea.

[@garyrobinson5747]

​@@notalefty999Not true. Been shown already that the areas where the vast majority of people are indigenous voted NO by a significant amount. Of all the Indigenous people I've asked around Darwin I never met one that said they were going to vote YES. Don't believe the rubbish that the government was feeding you all.

[@reginalddarcy5149]

saying someone's racist has no meaning anymore because of groups that over use it as an excuse for why they failed.

[@grech1817]

They still don't get that there were no details....why would you vote YES to something you have no details on...

[@deanpd3402]

More than that, it was a solution that offered bigger govt. My default position is to oppose such propositions.

[@alexlong3714]

The Indigenous citizens in Australia make up about 3.8 percent of the country's population of 26 million, And they want to have a special voice in the Constitution over the rest of the 96.2 % of the population. Seriously ??

[@SicDrykEst]

Why are they the minority again?

[@bosseshang8479]

well done lads, faith restored in Australia

[@rosemarywoolley8394]

Well done Australia. They would have run rings around you as they would never have been happy.

[@deanpd3402]

Narcissists can see weakness from a mile away and they will take advantage of it.

[@RTOneZer0]

They'll be perpetually outraged and accuse everyone who disagrees with their demands as racist.

[@ripvanwinkle6557]

'We never meant you harm' Yes you did. Who do you think you're fooling?

[@BLSFL_HAZE]

What harm could they have POSSIBLY meant, then?

[@deanpd3402]

@@BLSFL_HAZE What, you didn't listen to Mayo and his Marxist plan? You didn't listen to the name calling from Marcia, Marcia, Marcia? Or Ray Martin? Or the PM? Of course harm was meant.

[@PaulMathias1]

There's never been a better time to be an Aboriginal in Australia. Jobs, grants and other governmental assistance far outweigh that given to every other Australian.

[@goldenautumn3073]

Exactly - which in truth has breached the Constitutional rights of every other Australian!

[@JC-lu4se]

Why do you think so many identify as one these days? It's a way to get ahead.

[@-opus]

Your intent is obvious Pauline

[@wahyun4244]

colonialism. only parliamentary vote

[@wsrtwetr]

but if you do that... what would the white people who need a sense of self worth and self importance do if they can't 'rescue' you?~

[@lechenaultia5863]

The PM I voted for told me it's just one page and I don't need to look at anything else. I wanted more information. I researched extensively. If I had thought for one nanosecond that yet another advisory body would provide prompt, substantial improvements to the 20% of Aboriginal people struggling in regional and remote communities, I would have voted 'yes' in a heartbeat. This result was not a rejection of recognition or of Aboriginal peoples. It was a call for prompt, tangible, substantial improvements to people's lives. I challenge all media to actively highlight the many, many Aboriginal success stories around the country and to actively investigate why tens of billions of dollars in government funding and royalties isn't getting to the people who need it most.

[@truth-lg7xy]

Well done Australia ❤Say no to division ❤

[@BLSFL_HAZE]

Can you explain exactly how it would be division? It's just board that would have given advice to any future government on issues they may otherwise have an incomplete view of. How is that division?

[@stargirl1613]

I was so close to voting yes.

[@billhesford6098]

Two groups is one + one. Not one group. How don't you get this most divisive attempt, a racist attempt we all witnessed? Another useless, expensive arm of government doing nothing to fix actual problems within the community. @@BLSFL_HAZE

[@AndreasViking1]

@@BLSFL_HAZEit literally creates an official body that ONLY looks out for one group! It’s so horrifically decisive. Why have it?! They have 100% equal rights today

[@kramer26]

Are you mad or just very poorly educated? What is Australia as a nation today if it isn't divided? This vote has only served to cement that division.

[@nicholasl8537]

Well done Australia 🇦🇺 love from England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@elsimon89]

Say hi to Charles for me, also just mention to him the grass is getting pretty long on the crown land if he wants to give it a mow.

[@HaythamTrueheartH]

Please tell Charles that Australia will always be owned by the Crown.

[@James-kv6kb]

It's only a drop in the ocean we still have all these nutcases saying they're aboriginal when they're completely white. The real Aboriginal people out in the bush don't want to have anything to do with this

[@SanctusPaulus1962]

​@@HaythamTrueheartH Lol you say that like it's a bad thing

[@wahyun4244]

just colonialism

[@NeverEvenThere]

"We have never and will never mean you NO harm" someone had a Freudian slip...

[@leereynolds9653]

Well done Australia, you've seen through the BS

[@palpatine6197]

Yeah like 70% of our country saw right through it, it wasn't us being racist it was just very obvious that something was up

[@stoicsceptic8420]

So , if you don’t agree with Deano , you’ve got hardness in your heart. Pathetic.

[@PASKEN458]

This should be a lesson to those who thought they were special and deserved extra rights and privileges above the rest of us.

[@SPASPAWIZ]

Did anyone notice the main spokesperson for yes was white (prime minister) and the main spokesperson for no was that black aborigin lady.

[@NoWindNoSunNoPower]

An excellent result for all Australian people.

[@user-es5rz8wv7u]

Only in your 'perfect' world dumdum.

[@laborincana4490]

Not for the original people that were dispossed and destitute of rights since your people arrived there.

[@janesoole703]

As a Brit - why?

[@omgitsnathan5204]

@@janesoole703because our country funnels 4 billion dollars a year into Indigenous restoration and reconciliation already. This is overkill

[@dewdrop533]

No wonder the suicide rate among indigenous people (the original inhabitants) is twice that of the settlers.

[@lcfcsince2016]

From a Brit, this is a great result for Australia 🇦🇺

[@tigading2177]

well said, it takes one criminal state to recognize another. LOL

[@NoWindNoSunNoPower]

@tigading2177 Yes. There was a big pro hamas gathering in London today.

[@TheAArmstrong]

@@tigading2177 Go guzzle some cope sauce.

[@BLSFL_HAZE]

Can you please explain how this is a great result?

[@tigading2177]

truth doesn't care about your or my feelings.@@TheAArmstrong

[@gingeybr]

Disadvantage isn’t just a problem for aboriginal people but for many in our country

[@bruceli9094]

WE THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN.

[@dufus7396]

"And some became more equal than others" George Orwell Animal Farm....congrats OZ you dodged a bullet with that put up job

[@JC-lu4se]

They already get a host of special privileges such as entry to university with lower marks, first preference for jobs, pay less for certain cultural events; the list is long and getting longer. Not to mention owning over 50% of Australia and getting a say on anything to do with land.

[@Robbie-Kom]

I’m sorry that this speaker did not listen to the majority of Aboriginals. Jacinta and Warren made it very clear! Those two educated us. The yes campaign tried to gaslight us

[@RTOneZer0]

Areas with the highest Indigenous populations have in fact overwhelmingly opposed the Voice. The Yes promotors knew that from the beginning based on the polling, yet they accuse people who oppose the referendum as racists. They're the racists themselves.

[@BarriosGroupie]

I get the feeling that this was about making the Aboriginal people more equal than everyone else?

[@quillo2747]

Bingo. Like most western nations its the attempt to solve perceived historic racism with racism. Dividing a society on racial lines and giving special priveledges to certain racial groups.

[@themoviehobbit355]

This is what they were saying it was basically only about. But it wasn’t ! they lied about what it really was really about

[@tynaidoo7132]

I agree...pure racism, but things will eventually turn around like they did in all other countries that were colonized.All those colonizers made the same mistake Austrailia is making...not recognizing the people that were on that land many years before you set foot there.😮

[@king_kiff3969]

Australia was pure bush land without a single man made structure built on it. No need to recognize anything of the sort. @@tynaidoo7132

[@awuma]

@@tynaidoo7132 The New Zealand model has worked for 150 years or so, and the Maori are well represented in Parliament. Maori voters can register either in the Maori constituecies or in their local ones. Maori have also often been elected in ordinary electoral districts. There is no special privilege for Maori voters.

[@Mac-ku3xu]

We’re told in Europe that the indigenous population has no special rights, and has to accept floods of immigrants who don’t want to integrate. Are there different rules in Australia? Incomer bad, only in Southern Hemisphere?

[@JC-lu4se]

All the corporations now need to sit down with their shareholders and answer questions why shareholder money was donated to the Yes campaign and why they got involved in politics without shareholder consent. Johnny Farnham needs to offer a huge apology, and so do all the sports stars and celebrities.

[@martino2794]

There's a adolescent nastiness to some on the Yes campaign; urban activists who've never been told "no" in their life

[@margaretwebster2516]

It would end up like South Africa.

[@deanpd3402]

Or Zimbabwe

[@TheMazinoz]

I agree, it sounds like what they want is basically apartheid paid for by the taxpayer!

[@throwaway6478]

@@deanpd3402 You mean occupied Rhodesia.

[@johnohara197]

Australia is a democracy correct ? The majority of the Australian people who voted, voted against this referendum! Thus, as citizens of that democracy you need to accept the fair and democratic decision of the majority. Dry your eyes and get on with your life. Thank you

[@luisekaisergruber]

who is the majority, the people who colonised the land and took away the rights of the aborigines???

[@quillo2747]

​@@luisekaisergruberWhat rights were taken away? When Europeans showed up the aboriginals were hunter gatherers, they didn't have a settled society where the concept of rights existed, human rights are a very European and Christian invention. The aboriginals do today have equal rights as everyone else in Australia, they are full Australian citizens.

[@CousinJesse1]

@@luisekaisergruber cope.

[@elsimon89]

Yes Sir, still a democracy for the time being.

[@JC-lu4se]

@@luisekaisergruber Learn some history and demographics before commenting.

[@NinjaSaitama]

As a asian migrant don't tell me how to vote in our democratic country. The majority has said no, instead of crying like a child why you didn't get your way. Instead reflect what you can do better next time to convince all Australians why voice indigenous Australians can benefit all of us and not just you. I don't want to live in a country as second class citizen, like im only renting my country from indigenous Australians.

[@RTOneZer0]

It's those far left-wing activists again backed who want to racially divide the country like they do in America with those BLM riots, defunding police, smash-and-grab retail thefts, open border, etc. The areas with the highest Indigenous populations have in fact overwhelmingly opposed the Voice.

[@debrahumphreys9305]

It seems this was a referendum for the activists. The NT result would indicate it wasn't wanted by the indigenous on the land nor most in towns and cities around Australia

[@RTOneZer0]

Those activists are the real racists with the divisive racial agenda for the country. They go around accusing Australians who doubted the Voice Referendum as such. Backed by the mainstream media, big corporations and so-called academics/experts, they claim to have spoken on behalf of the indigenous people. Yet areas with the highest Indigenous populations have in fact overwhelmingly opposed the Voice.

[@ownerlaptop1169]

Beautiful result for Australian people 👏 ❤

[@Facetiously.Esoteric]

If you are racist...

[@NoWindNoSunNoPower]

@cthulhu_lives8169 The racists were defeated.

[@exposingpolytheism1014]

“Australian people”😂 you mean the descendants of white European colonisers

[@user-zc4yd9ss7h]

Are aboriginals Australian people?

[@AndreasViking1]

@@Facetiously.Esotericwhat’s it like being that racist you claim to hate?!

[@zappypuma]

True Aboriginals with ties directly to land and people, living on the front lines, WON from this referendum with us who voted "NO". Action is what's needed instead. Well done AUSTRALIA!

[@mistersmacky]

It was not going to help people struggling with limited opportunities in remote communities, it was about empowering well-to-do inner city activists, many with a very small percentage of indigenous heritage.

[@WarriorFireShorts]

This!

[@sirgooogen]

Here's the thing. When Mayo says, "we're not taking no as an answer, he needs to understand the no voters won't take yes as an answer

[@arlenesymes3452]

People got sick of all the big corporations, ex sport stars, current sport stars, big media names, rich city indigenous, sprucing there yes message…money talks. When was the last time some of these people went to the very remote communities and seen what really goes on at ground level. The NO VOTE won because of the raw honest conversations from Price & Mundine we’re YES campaigner made it about themselves. I say do an Audit and give the money to these communities that need it and stop coating the pockets of already rich politicians, stars and the like.

[@king_kiff3969]

No got over the line as every local aboriginal person made sure they campaigned loudly at a local level for NO, they know a scam when they see one.

[@primrose62]

so you mention "rich city indigenous" and then Price and Mundine who are both "rich city indigenous" - mmmm

[@hanyattia1665]

he actually said "we have never mean you no harm" so he does mean harm

[@HGCUPCAKES]

Listen to how he said about taking things….

[@Boatperson]

Grow up!!! Stop taking things out of context!!

[@ssuwandi3240]

Neocons language. Tried and failed

[@harryricochet8134]

I caught that too, well done you, he let the truth slip out there.

[@billhesford6098]

He said it, he meant it.@@Boatperson

[@AusHowie]

It was the right outcome that was achieved, I’m thankful that my country has voted without the impact of government and “celebrity” in-put. Thank you to everyone that voted NO. We are ONE.

[@berrypatchhusbando5263]

"We will never mean you no harm" is a double negative, so he's saying they DO mean harm??? Freudian slip?

[@deanpd3402]

You can bet your life that someone with the lack of insight that he has, would mean a lot of people harm.

[@davidmcclatchey2133]

Can we now see the full transcript (if it actually exists) of what the yes campaign expected the country to blindly vote for? I don't know one indigenous person who said that they would supported this.

[@PlurCo]

You don't know one indigenous person who would trust you to speak honestly in front of you.

[@Power_Prawnstar]

@@PlurCo Two of my best mates are blackfullas, both voted no, they said they didn't need special treatment, why would they? Seems they've got other things to worry about, like feeding their family and putting fuel in the car, funnily enough, just like the rest of us, weird right?

[@rubynutman]

That's a great way to change our minds, by calling every single Australian who voted no (including myself) a bunch of hard hearted racists. It was our decision to make, or he would have preferred if we were all made to vote yes.

[@elgusaniiiodeljuego6823]

The more they shake, the more they sink in the mud. And make no mistake. They’re gonna throw a “moderate” candidate in the next election to trick you 🎭

[@moose9701]

so glad you voted No!!!...similar situation here in the USA WAITING FOR TRUMP TO RETURN TO HIS RIGHTEOUS SPOT!!!!

[@YANNISAMOS]

"We have never, and will never, mean you no harm" I think that double negative says a lot.

[@NOFX0890]

What an unfortunate slip of the tongue...

[@goyonman9655]

😂😂

[@robdowsing3361]

Not the whole nation cos most of us didn’t agree with the concept of the Voice;we already spend billions with no accountability😢

[@thedevilriders101]

"We'll not take no for an answer!" So, we'll keep campaigning for another referendum, until we get the result that we want.

[@1969cmp]

No point blaming the No campaign or the LNP. This loss was an in-house problem, the ALP, Albo, Thomas Mayo, Marsha Langton, Noel Perason and blending what could have been two questions into one question - marrying constitutual recognition with 'the voice' were serious problems.

[@yarndy]

'THE VOICE VOTE' Highest numbers of 'NO' votes came from regional and rural areas where the largest populations of indigenous people are located, so we find that the majority of the 'YES' votes came from the Inner suburbs! (Greens, Teals & Labor electorate areas)

[@richardgregory3684]

The government was aksing the electorate to sign a blank cheque. It was all "just vote to put this into the consitution where it can't be removed, we'll sort out what it actually does later". They flatly refused to give in detail what this allegedly "advisory body" would be like. No detail on how it would be constituted, or what powers it would have, what would happen if the government ignored it;s "advice". Moreover, you don;t address inequality by creating more. This would have created a privilege enjoyed by a minority in socity, and one assigned purely by ethnicity.

[@mieczyslawawozniak2305]

Cities, academics, corporates, elites - Yes. The rest of Australia - No. This division has been for a while. City folks locked themselves in glass towers and have been telling the rest how to vote or live. No foot on the ground to find out the the real issues.

[@itwithpatrick3866]

Im an academic and trust me I feel like people around me are insane :/

[@keithrobinson5752]

If you think the grifters have given up, you need to think again for one there to much power and money to be had. And it is clear they simply cannot accept the reality of why Yes was rejected, and how the form of race-based politics they want to push is not the majority wanted to support.

[@carlowingfield7743]

'We never meant you harm' unless you voted No .

[@goldenautumn3073]

Exactly.

[@KevinSolway]

Equality for everyone . . . except for those who disagree with us.

[@Adeon55]

His exact words were "We have never and will never mean you no harm." Bit of a Freudian slip there, eh?

[@NoWindNoSunNoPower]

Has Albo put his resignation in yet?

[@deanpd3402]

Albo does not have the grace and humility to do the right thing.

[@mistersmacky]

That's up to the union bosses who run the party in the background.

[@kerravon4159]

I'm greiving that the result was only 60/40 instead of 70/30. Does that count?

[@dominiclane8538]

Oh they realised that everybody does not think like they do

[@axle.australian.patriot]

No one thinks like anyone else. Your point?

[@portillamail]

THANKS FELLOW AUSTRALIANS

[@Boatperson]

FOR BEING SO SHAMEFULLY RACIST!!!

[@janesoole703]

As a Brit - I am bewildered - why do you say this?

[@RTOneZer0]

When losing the democratically-held referendum, always accuse the other side as racists. One trick pony. With that kind of argument, no wonder the majority of Australians reject the Yes Referendum.

[@666catlover]

@@Boatperson Who are the real racists here wanting special privilege's

[@harryricochet8134]

@@Boatperson You'd think that after failing so catastrophically by relying upon insults, racist tropes and dog whistling to attempt to persuade people to vote for the Voice, you'd now consider trying another tactic to score a win but apparently the oldest habits remain the hardest to break for some. Do better, much, much better there, huge fail for you. Again.

[@damianmousley2098]

I personally want to say thankyou to the NO campaign advocates Marcia Langton and Noel Pearson.

[@Leviathan1983]

I voted no with no hardness in my heart at all.

[@Isaac-ho8gh]

Okay. Is our country's stability more important than Aboriginal people being treated equally?

[@Adeon55]

@@Isaac-ho8gh The No vote assured that Aboriginal people will be treated equally. Very much unlike what the Yes vote sought to do.

[@Isaac-ho8gh]

@@Adeon55 I didn't ask you, I asked Leviathan and don't try to deflect.