Indigenous groups break silence in wake of Voice, condemn ‘shameful act’ and vow to move forward

Indigenous Australians have spoken of their “shock and disbelief” after taking a week of silence to grieve a resounding rejection of the Voice to Parliament.

Indigenous leaders have broken their silence in the wake of the failed Voice referendum, expressing their shock and disbelief over the “lies, racism and ignorance” they say swept through the No campaign.

Last week’s referendum, the result of years of consultation with Indigenous Australians through the 2017 Uluru Statement from the Heart, was defeated in every state and territory except the ACT.

Remote Indigenous communities overwhelmingly voted in favour of enshrining an Indigenous Voice to Parliament in Australia’s Constitution.

In an unsigned, open letter seen by NCA NewsWire, Yes campaigners and community members blasted the vote’s failure, declaring it a “shameful act” committed by the “majority of Australians”.

“That people who came to our country in only the last 235 years would reject the recognition of this continent’s First Peoples – on our sacred land which we have cared for and nurtured for more than 65,000 years – is so appalling and mean-spirited as to be utterly unbelievable a week following,” the letter read.

“It will remain unbelievable and appalling for decades to come.”

Nationally, only 39.6 per cent of the population voted Yes on the Voice to Parliament referendum, while 60.4 per cent opposed. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Split across 12 “collective insights and views”, the open letter placed blame for the failure of the referendum on a range of factors, including right-wing politicians and the media.

“The support for the referendum collapsed from the moment Liberal and National Party leaders, Mr Dutton and Mr Littleproud, chose to oppose the Voice to Parliament proposal after more than a decade of bipartisan support,” it stated.

The response slammed the Nationals and Liberal Party for committing “wanton political damage”, noting the Voice enjoyed about 60 per cent public support in opinion polls for many years before the opposition changed their minds.

Leaders also lashed the No campaign, which they say “resurrected scare campaigns seen during the 1990s against land rights” and proliferated “deliberate disinformation and misinformation”, which “unleashed a tsunami of racism against our people”.

Indigenous leaders went on to voice support for establishing an independent Voice to advocate for the rights of First Nations people before ending on a note of resilience.

“We will regather in due course and develop a plan for our future direction. We will continue to fight to seek justice for our peoples.”

Uluru Dialogue Youth co-chair Allira Davis shared the open letter on social media on Sunday alongside a powerful message.

“We are still here and we are still surviving. Always was, always will be,” the post read.

Uluru Youth Dialogue co-chair Allira Davis said she would stand with her people. Picture: Instagram

The Central Land Council (CLC), one of the largest representative bodies for Aboriginal people living in the NT, said their communities were grieving after the overwhelming majority of Australians voted No in last Saturday’s referendum.

“We live in a country that does not know itself,” a CLC statement read.

“Those of us who have been around for a long time know how it feels. We have been here before. We are sad, but we know we must stay strong.

“Others in our communities, especially young people, are in shock and disbelief.”

Independent advocacy organisation, Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation (ANTaR), said it was deeply saddened by the result and vowed to continue advocating for treaty and truth.

“It was fair to say that “not everyone who voted ‘no’ is racist but (is) also fair to say that all racists voted ‘no’,” the non-profit wrote on social media.

“The vitriol and hatred that were part of the campaign existed prior to but were given licence through the process.

“The overarching theory (that) we are incapable of managing our own affairs is dehumanising and degrading and most of all, deeply flawed.”

Lies ‘peddled by the No campaign’ were critical factors in the failed Voice referendum, Indigenous organisations have said. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Leading Yes campaigner Thomas Mayo said despite a wave of racism being unleashed during the bitter campaign, the movement for Indigenous rights had grown stronger.

In a penned column for The Saturday Paper, the Indigenous leader wrote that he broke down after the referendum defeat and criticised an “abhorrent” No campaign.

“The racist vitriol we felt was at a level not seen for decades in Australia,” he wrote.

“We continue our calls for our voices to be heard, for reform and justice, and we need your ongoing support.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has not yet spoken on the government’s next steps post-referendum but said he was committed to listening to Indigenous Australians.

Originally published as Indigenous groups break silence in wake of Voice, condemn ‘shameful act’ and vow to move forward