Toowoomba Voice to Parliament Yes campaigner Chloe Moore comments on referendum outcome

With the results of the Voice referendum finalised, a Toowoomba Yes campaigner said a lack of bipartisan support eroded the chances for the vote to get up.

Though the Voice referendum vote occured on Saturday, many Australians are still discussing what happened, and what needs to happen next, in response to the result.

Toowoomba local and avid Yes campaigner Chloe Moore said she was ecstatic when Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the proposed Indigenous Voice to Parliament, but knew the road to a successful outcome would be bumpy.

“Once it became clear the referendum did not have bipartisan support, we knew achieving a Yes vote would be challenging,” Mrs Moore said.

Chloe Moore and her husband, Wiradjuri man Kieren Moore with twin daughters Bonnie and Florence volunteering for the Yes Campaign

When Mrs Moore and her family found out the result on Saturday night, she said their hearts were completely broken.

“I’m extremely disappointed with the result. My husband is a Wiradjuri man and we

volunteered for the Yes campaign in the hope of creating a better future for our

children,” Mrs Moore said.

“Many First Nations peoples have been deeply hurt by this referendum.”

Australians overwhelmingly rejected the proposal, with Queensland polling the strongest No vote in the country, and the western Queensland seat of Maranoa delivering the strongest No vote of any individual electorate in Australia (84.12 per cent).

Mrs Moore explained she was impressed by the current government’s dedication to the truth and commitment to the Uluru Statement from the Heart. Though they displayed all relevant details to voters she said there was certainly room for improvement.

“All the relevant details were available to voters, but clearly the message needed to be stronger,” Mrs Moore said.

“This referendum has highlighted how important it is to equip voters with the tools required to make an informed decision based on facts, not fear.

“The result may have been very different if more voters were aware of how much this meant to many Indigenous Australians. I genuinely believe this referendum did not need to be divisive.”

Wiradjuri man Kieran Moore and his wife, Chloe Moore out volunteering for the Yes Campaign with daughters (left) Bonnie, Florence, and (front) Elizabeth Moore.

Mrs Moore stressed the importance of continuing to facilitate the active participation of First Nation’s peoples in decision-making processes.

“While the Voice will not be constitutionally enshrined, this debate is not over,” Mrs Moore said.

“Our attention now needs to shift to truth-telling. I am committed to advancing treaty discussions which have already commenced in many states, including Queensland.”