Key land council ends voice silence with blast at No victory
A key land council has ended a week of silence ‘grieving’ the referendum result by saying ‘Australia does not know itself’.
The Central Land Council, which represents 24,000 remote Indigenous people, says Australia does not know itself.
After a week of silence to grieve last Saturday’s failed referendum, the land council, comprising 90 elected delegates, has spoken about the resounding defeat of the proposal for an Indigenous voice to parliament.
“On 14 October Australia voted NO. But Aboriginal people in all our Central Land Council communities voted YES,” the Central Land Council wrote in a statement issued on Saturday night.
“In fact, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people all over remote Australia voted YES.
“The referendum results tell us an important story: We as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are united.
“We know who we are. We know what we need. And we know things need to change.
“But we live in a country that does not know itself.”
The Central Land Council represents the interests of Indigenous people in roughly the lower half of the Northern Territory. This includes Alice Springs, the home of leading No campaigner and NT Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price.
The council wanted the voice to prioritise advising on three things: overcrowded housing, reform of the failed Commonwealth work for the dole scheme and food security.
In Central Australia, the availability of cheap junk food and the high cost of fresh fruit and vegetables are considered key drivers of the highest rates of diabetes in the world.
“Our people are grieving,” the land council wrote.
“Those of us who have been around for a long time recognise how it feels.
“We have been here before. We are sad, but we know that we must stay strong. Others in our communities, especially young people, are in shock and disbelief.
“We need to work together and support each other.
“CLC leaders and elders created a legacy of fighting to improve the lives of our people. The CLC will never stop advocating for our rights.
“We will keep fighting for equality, fighting for land, fighting for water, fighting for housing, infrastructure, good jobs, education, closing the gap – a future for our children.
“While we are disappointed with the outcome of the referendum, we recognise the courage of the Prime Minister Mr Albanese and thank him for providing Australia with an opportunity to vote for change.
“The CLC members and staff thank all Australians who stood with us.”
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