2023 Australian Indigenous Voice referendum#Yes
{{Short description|none}}
{{about|the referendum held in 2023|the proposed body and its conceptual development|Indigenous Voice to Parliament}}
{{Use Australian English|date = March 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date = March 2023}}
{{infobox referendum
| name = 2023 Australian Indigenous Voice referendum
| title = A Proposed Law: To alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.
Do you approve this proposed alteration?
| country = Australia
| website = [https://results.aec.gov.au/29581/Website/ReferendumNationalResults-29581.htm Official results]
| date = {{start date|2023|10|14|df=y}}
| votes_counted =
| last_update =
| time_zone =
| yes = 6286894
| no = 9452792
| invalid = 155545
| electorate = 17671784
| outcome = Not carried. A majority "no" vote nationally and in all states.
| map = {{Switcher
| 250px
| Results by state and territory
| 250px
| Results by federal electoral division
}}
| map_division = state or territory, and division
}}
{{2023 Australian constitutional referendum sidebar}}
The 2023 Australian Indigenous Voice referendum was a constitutional referendum held on 14{{nbsp}}October 2023 in which the proposed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice was rejected. Voters were asked to approve an alteration to the Australian Constitution that would recognise Indigenous Australians in the document through prescribing a body called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice that would have been able to make representations to Federal Parliament and the executive government on "matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples".
The proposal was rejected nationally and by a majority in every state, thus failing to secure the double majority required for amendment by section 128 of the constitution. The Australian Capital Territory was the only state or territory with a majority of "yes" votes. Analysis of surveys following the referendum identified the main reasons why the majority of Australians voted no was a scepticism of rights for some Australians that are not held by others and a fear of constitutional change.
Background
{{Main|Indigenous Voice to Parliament|Constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians}}
On 21 May 2022, the Australian Labor Party won government, with party leader Anthony Albanese becoming Prime Minister. During his victory speech, Albanese committed to holding a referendum to enshrine an Indigenous Voice to Parliament in his government's first term of office, acting on the 2017 request of Indigenous leaders for such a body made with the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
= Parliamentary process =
{{Infobox legislation
| short_title = Constitution Alteration (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice) 2023
| legislature = Parliament of Australia
| long_title = A Bill for an Act to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice{{cite web | title=Constitution Alteration (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice) 2023 | publisher=Attorney-General's Department (Australia) | date=30 March 2023 | url=https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2023B00060 | access-date=22 September 2023 | archive-date=23 August 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230823085446/https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2023B00060 | url-status=live }}
| territorial_extent = Australia
| enacted_by = House of Representatives
| date_passed = 31 May 2023
| enacted_by2 = Senate
| date_passed2 = 19 June 2023
| bill_date = 30 March 2023
| bill_history_url = https://parlwork.aph.gov.au/bills/r7019
| introduced_by = Mark Dreyfus
| 1st_reading = 30 March 2023
| 2nd_reading = 30 March 2023 – 31 May 2023
| committee_whole_label = Consideration in detail
| committee_whole = 31 May 2023
| 3rd_reading = 31 May 2023
| bill_date2 = 13 June 2023
| introduced_by2 = Murray Watt
| 1st_reading2 = 13 June 2023
| 2nd_reading2 = 13 June 2023 – 16 June 2023
| committee_whole2 = 16 June 2023 – 17 June 2023
| 3rd_reading2 = 19 June 2023
| amends = Constitution of Australia
| summary = Amends the constitution to prescribe an Indigenous Voice to Parliament
| status = not passed
}}
The government settled on and announced the text of the question on the ballot and the actual amendment on 23 March 2023.{{cite web |date=23 March 2023 |title=Constitutional amendment and referendum question announced |url=https://voice.gov.au/news/constitutional-amendment-and-referendum-question-announced |url-status=live |access-date=12 September 2023 |archive-date=18 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230918110508/https://voice.gov.au/news/constitutional-amendment-and-referendum-question-announced }}{{Cite web |date=23 March 2023 |title=Next Step Towards Voice Referendum: Constitutional Alteration Bill |url=https://www.pm.gov.au/media/next-step-towards-voice-referendum-constitutional-alteration-bill |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330153146/https://www.pm.gov.au/media/next-step-towards-voice-referendum-constitutional-alteration-bill |archive-date=30 March 2023 |access-date=2023-03-24 |website=Prime Minister of Australia |series=Media release}} These were formally approved by parliament through the passage of the amendment bill, Constitutional Alteration (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice) 2023 (Cth). The bill was examined and endorsed by the Joint Select Committee on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice Referendum, subject to two dissenting reports authored by Liberal and National party members respectively.{{Cite web |last=corporateName=Commonwealth Parliament; address=Parliament House |first=Canberra |title=Constitution Alteration (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice) 2023 |url=https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd2223a/23bd080 |access-date=2023-10-15 |website=www.aph.gov.au |language=en-AU |archive-date=13 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231013020900/https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd2223a/23bd080 |url-status=live }}
The Liberal Party of Australia report put forward several changes, including the deletion of sub-section 128(ii) (to reduce a risk that representations from the body must be considered), a new section 77(iv) (to allow the parliament to control the applicability of judicial review under section 75(v) of the Constitution), the addition of the words "and the legal effect of its representations" to sub-section 128(iii) (to clarify the power Parliament has to legislate regarding the Voice), and the replacement of the words "executive government" to "ministers of state" (to reduce the possible ambit of people to whom the Voice may make representations). The Nationals' report, on the other hand, rejected the proposed bill entirely.{{cite book| url=https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Former_Committees/Aboriginal_and_Torres_Strait_Islander_Voice_Referendum/VoiceReferendum/Report| title=Advisory Report on the Constitution Alteration (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice) 2023| date=May 2023| author1=Joint Select Committee on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice Referendum| author2=Green, Nita| author2-link=Nita Green| publisher=Commonwealth of Australia| isbn=978-1-76092-504-8| others=Nita Green| access-date=6 October 2023| archive-date=6 October 2023| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231006050909/https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Former_Committees/Aboriginal_and_Torres_Strait_Islander_Voice_Referendum/VoiceReferendum/Report| url-status=live}}
Following the passage of the bill, the referendum date was announced by the Prime Minister on 30 August 2023.{{cite news |last=Butler |first=Josh |date=2023-08-30 |title=Indigenous voice to parliament referendum date announced as 14 October |newspaper=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/aug/30/referendum-date-indigenous-voice-to-parliament-vote-australia-anthony-albanese |access-date=2023-08-30 |archive-date=30 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230830032025/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/aug/30/referendum-date-indigenous-voice-to-parliament-vote-australia-anthony-albanese |url-status=live }} The referendum was officially triggered on 11 September 2023 with the issuing of a writ by the governor-general to the Australian Electoral Commission.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=11 September 2023 |title=2023 referendum: Final key dates confirmed |url=https://aec.gov.au/media/2023/09-11.htm |website=Australian Electoral Commission |publisher=Australian Government |language=en-AU |access-date=3 October 2023 |archive-date=4 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004022244/https://aec.gov.au/media/2023/09-11.htm |url-status=live }}
Question and proposed amendment
Referendum ballot papers asked voters:{{Cite web |title=Press Conference – Parliament House |website=Prime Minister of Australia |url=https://www.pm.gov.au/media/press-conference-parliament-house |access-date=2023-03-24 |archive-date=30 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330153146/https://www.pm.gov.au/media/press-conference-parliament-house |url-status=live }} {{Creative Commons text attribution notice|cc=by4|from this source=yes}}{{blockquote|A Proposed Law: To alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.
Do you approve this proposed alteration?}}
The proposed amendment to the Constitution was the insertion of the following chapter:
Chapter IX Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples129 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice
In recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia:
- There shall be a body, to be called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice;
- The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice may make representations to the Parliament and the Executive Government of the Commonwealth on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples;
- The Parliament shall, subject to this Constitution, have power to make laws with respect to matters relating to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice, including its composition, functions, powers and procedures.
Voting and referendum mechanisms
= Double majority =
For any amendment of the Constitution to proceed, it must receive a double majority of votes: that is, a majority in each of a majority of the states (i.e. at least four of the six states), as well as a majority overall (i.e. including votes in the territories).Constitution, section 128.{{cite web | title=Referendums and changing Australia's constitution | website=National Archives of Australia | url=https://www.naa.gov.au/learn/learning-resources/learning-resource-themes/government-and-democracy/constitution-and-referendums/referendums-and-changing-australias-constitution | access-date=11 June 2023 | archive-date=11 June 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230611134420/https://www.naa.gov.au/learn/learning-resources/learning-resource-themes/government-and-democracy/constitution-and-referendums/referendums-and-changing-australias-constitution | url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Silva |first=Angelica |date=2023-05-14 |title=What is the Indigenous Voice to Parliament? Here's how it would work and who's for and against it |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-15/what-is-the-indigenous-voice-to-parliament-referendum-australia/102317242 |access-date=2023-05-31 |archive-date=31 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531120311/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-15/what-is-the-indigenous-voice-to-parliament-referendum-australia/102317242 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=The referendum count |url=https://www.aec.gov.au/referendums/count.htm |access-date=2023-05-31 |website=Australian Electoral Commission |language=en-AU |archive-date=31 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531053907/https://www.aec.gov.au/referendums/count.htm |url-status=live }}
= Voters =
Voting in the referendum was mandatory for all eligible Australian citizens (and some British subjects).{{Cite web |date=1 March 2023 |title=Enrol to vote |url=https://aec.gov.au/enrol/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330054628/https://aec.gov.au/enrol/ |archive-date=30 March 2023 |access-date=30 March 2023 |website=Australian Electoral Commission}}{{Cite web |date=21 April 2015 |title=British subjects |url=https://aec.gov.au/Enrolling_to_vote/British_subjects.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230320090935/https://www.aec.gov.au/enrolling_to_vote/british_subjects.htm |archive-date=20 March 2023 |access-date=30 March 2023 |website=Australian Electoral Commission}} A total of 17,676,347 voters were registered on the electoral roll, and therefore required to either vote in person, by post or by phone. This was 2.6% larger than the electoral roll of the 2022 election.{{cite web | title=Largest voter enrolment on record ahead of Voice referendum | website=InDaily | date=21 September 2023 | url=https://indaily.com.au/news/2023/09/22/largest-voter-enrolment-on-record-ahead-of-voice-referendum/ | access-date=22 September 2023 | archive-date=24 September 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230924040250/https://indaily.com.au/news/2023/09/22/largest-voter-enrolment-on-record-ahead-of-voice-referendum/ | url-status=live }}
= Cost =
The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) estimated the cost of the referendum would be about $450 million, where the federal government had supplied $364 million in the most recent budget to deliver the referendum. Funding for the referendum was provided to the AEC and National Indigenous Australians Agency in the October 2022 Australian federal budget, with a total distribution of $75.2 million (excluding Contingency Reserves) over two years (FY2022{{Ndash}}24).{{Cite web |last1=Chalmers |first1=Jim |author-link=Jim Chalmers |last2=Gallagher |first2=Katy |author-link2=Katy Gallagher |date=25 October 2022 |title=Budget Paper No. 2: Budget Measures |url=https://archive.budget.gov.au/2022-23-october/bp2/download/bp2_2022-23.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=31 March 2023 |website=2022 Budget |page=107 |archive-date=1 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601032924/https://archive.budget.gov.au/2022-23-october/bp2/download/bp2_2022-23.pdf }}{{Cite news |last=Morse |first=Dana |date=28 October 2022 |title=Voice to Parliament funding welcomed but questions raised over who will pay for the campaign |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-28/voice-funding-welcome-questions-raised-over-who-funds-campaign/101587684 |access-date=31 March 2023 |archive-date=31 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331124337/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-28/voice-funding-welcome-questions-raised-over-who-funds-campaign/101587684 |url-status=live }}
- $52.6 million for the Australian Electoral Commission to prepare for and deliver the referendum
- $16.1 million for the Australian Electoral Commission to increase the percentage of eligible First Nations people enrolled to vote
- $6.5 million for the National Indigenous Australians Agency to support preparations for the referendum, including the relevant governance structures
There is an additional $160 million of the federal Contingency Reserve available to deliver the referendum. In May 2023 the government announced a total of $10.5 million in the 2023 budget to improve mental health services for Indigenous people in the lead-up to the referendum.
= Official pamphlet =
The government originally attempted to remove the requirement for an official yes/no pamphlet along with other proposed changes to the referendum process in the Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Amendment Bill 2022 (Cth), arguing that a physical pamphlet was outdated and that information could instead be distributed online or via television.{{Cite web |last=Kildea |first=Paul |title=The government wants to change Australia's referendum laws. How will this affect the Voice to Parliament? |url=http://theconversation.com/the-government-wants-to-change-australias-referendum-laws-how-will-this-affect-the-voice-to-parliament-195632 |date=16 December 2022 |access-date=4 October 2023 |website=The Conversation |language=en |archive-date=5 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005045835/http://theconversation.com/the-government-wants-to-change-australias-referendum-laws-how-will-this-affect-the-voice-to-parliament-195632 |url-status=live }} Instead, the government proposed funding an education campaign to inform Australians about the referendum and to "counter misinformation".{{Cite web |last=Twomey |first=Anne |title=The government will not send out Yes and No case pamphlets ahead of the Voice to Parliament referendum. Does this matter? |url=http://theconversation.com/the-government-will-not-send-out-yes-and-no-case-pamphlets-ahead-of-the-voice-to-parliament-referendum-does-this-matter-195806 |date=2 December 2022 |access-date=4 October 2023 |website=The Conversation |language=en |archive-date=5 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005045836/http://theconversation.com/the-government-will-not-send-out-yes-and-no-case-pamphlets-ahead-of-the-voice-to-parliament-referendum-does-this-matter-195806 |url-status=live }} However, the pamphlet was ultimately retained in order to secure bipartisan support for the bill.{{Cite news |last1=Hegarty |first1=Nicole |last2=Lowrey |first2=Tom |title=Coalition set to support referendum framework bill as deadline nears for final wording |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-22/voice-negotiations-near-conclusion/102125920 |date=21 March 2023 |access-date=4 October 2023 |archive-date=5 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005045835/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-22/voice-negotiations-near-conclusion/102125920 |url-status=live }} Following this, parliamentarians of both houses who had voted for and against the constitutional amendment bill drafted, for inclusion in the pamphlet, 2,000-word essays detailing their Yes and No cases, with the text of each essay approved by a majority respectively of the Yes and No supporters.{{cite news |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-02-08/dutton-claims-albanese-concession-on-voice-to-parliament/101945154 |title=Voice to Parliament pamphlets advocating both sides to be sent to Australians, in concession to Peter Dutton |date=8 February 2023 |access-date=16 September 2023 |archive-date=16 September 2023 |first1=Jake |last1=Evans |first2=Stephanie |last2=Borys |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230916015602/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-02-08/dutton-claims-albanese-concession-on-voice-to-parliament/101945154 |url-status=live |quote=Labor had sought to dump the pamphlet as it prepared arrangements for the referendum, saying it was no longer needed in the "digital age", with parliamentarians able to express their views to voters directly. |publisher=ABC News}} This approach was criticised by organisations such as The Greens, who wanted these statements to be independently fact-checked, as there was no legal requirement for the pamphlets to be truthful.{{cite news |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/greens-pocock-push-for-independent-fact-checking-of-voice-referendum-pamphlet-20230303-p5cpal.html |last=Visentin |first=Lisa |title=Greens, Pocock push for independent fact-checking of Voice referendum pamphlet |date=7 March 2023 |access-date=16 September 2023 |url-access=registration |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |archive-date=15 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230915172802/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/greens-pocock-push-for-independent-fact-checking-of-voice-referendum-pamphlet-20230303-p5cpal.html |url-status=live }} After the pamphlets were released, several media organisations analysed the claims in both essays, with many characterising some in the No case as "false" or "misleading".{{Cite web |last1=Allam |first1=Lorena |last2=Butler |first2=Josh |last3=Evershed |first3=Nick |last4=Ball |first4=Andy |title=The no pamphlet: campaign's voice to parliament referendum essay – annotated and factchecked |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/ng-interactive/2023/jul/20/the-vote-no-pamphlet-referendum-voice-to-parliament-voting-essay-aec-published-read-in-full-annotated-fact-checked |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Voice pamphlet's convention claim misleads |url=https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck/voice-pamphlets-convention-claim-misleads/ |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=Australian Associated Press}} No campaigners disputed this, however, arguing that fact checkers were labelling as "false" claims that remained subject to debate.{{Cite web |last=Mundine |first=Nyunggai Warren |date=2023-02-15 |title=Media shouldn't be asked to gaslight Voice opponents |url=https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/media-shouldn-t-be-asked-to-gaslight-voice-opponents-20230214-p5ckbc |url-access=subscription |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=Australian Financial Review |language=en}}
The yes/no pamphlet was published on the AEC website on 18 July 2023{{cite news |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-07-18/the-voice-essays-for-referendum-published/102613238 |title=Voice to Parliament referendum pamphlets for Yes and No camps published by AEC|archive-date=16 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230916023709/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-07-18/the-voice-essays-for-referendum-published/102613238 |url-status=live |access-date=16 September 2023 |date=18 July 2023 |first=Paige |last=Cockburn |publisher=ABC News}}{{cite news |title=Voice to parliament referendum Yes and No pamphlets published today|url=https://www.9news.com.au/national/voice-referendum-yes-and-no-pamphlets-from-aec-published-today/0b2d6b4b-93df-42d0-b386-35fab78ae7eb|archive-date=16 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230916023325/https://www.9news.com.au/national/voice-referendum-yes-and-no-pamphlets-from-aec-published-today/0b2d6b4b-93df-42d0-b386-35fab78ae7eb |url-status=live |access-date=16 September 2023 |date=18 July 2023 |author= |publisher=9news.com.au}} and on 11 August 2023 it began to be posted to households.{{cite news |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-11/aec-prints-indigenous-voice-to-parliament-referendum-pamphlets/102717246 |title=Printing of Voice referendum pamphlets outlining Yes and No arguments begins |author= |date=11 August 2023 |access-date=16 September 2023 |archive-date=16 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230916015721/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-11/aec-prints-indigenous-voice-to-parliament-referendum-pamphlets/102717246 |url-status=live |publisher=ABC News}}
= Key dates =
Key dates in relation to the voting process for the referendum were:{{cite web|url=https://www.aec.gov.au/referendums/learn/timetable.html|work=aec.gov.au|title=2023 referendum timetable|access-date=11 September 2023|archive-date=18 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230918110508/https://www.aec.gov.au/referendums/learn/timetable.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2023G01061|title=Notification of Particulars of Writ for Referendum|work=legislation.aus.gov.au|date=11 September 2023|access-date=11 September 2023|archive-date=18 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230918110508/https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2023G01061|url-status=live}}
- 11 September – Writ issued
- 11 September – Applications for postal voting opens
- 18 September (8pm) – Close of electoral roll (17,676,347 people were enrolled at the close of the roll){{cite web|url=https://www.aec.gov.au/media/2023/09-21a.htm|title=Largest enrolment in history ahead of 2023 referendum|work=aec.gov.au|date=21 September 2023}}
- 25 September – Remote voting commences
- 2 October – Early voting centres open in Northern Territory, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia
- 3 October{{efn|name=p_holi|Due to public holidays: Labor Day in ACT, NSW, SA;{{cite web |title=Public Holidays in NSW |url=https://www.industrialrelations.nsw.gov.au/public-holidays/public-holidays-in-nsw/ |website=NSW Industrial Relations |access-date=20 September 2023 |language=en-AU |date=21 October 2019 |archive-date=12 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230512012424/https://www.industrialrelations.nsw.gov.au/public-holidays/public-holidays-in-nsw/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=SA Public Holidays – Current, Past & Future Holiday Dates |url=https://www.publicholidaysa.com.au/ |website=SA Public Holidays |access-date=20 September 2023 |language=en-AU |archive-date=29 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230929003043/https://www.publicholidaysa.com.au/ |url-status=live }} King's Birthday in Qld{{cite web |title=Public holidays {{!}} Public, school and show holidays |url=https://www.qld.gov.au/recreation/travel/holidays/public |website=www.qld.gov.au |access-date=20 September 2023 |language=en |archive-date=25 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170725074504/https://www.qld.gov.au/recreation/travel/holidays/public |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Australian Electoral Commission |url=https://www.aec.gov.au/referendums/vote/vote-in-person.html |website=Australian Electoral Commission |access-date=20 September 2023 |language=en-AU |archive-date=24 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230924152451/https://www.aec.gov.au/referendums/vote/vote-in-person.html |url-status=live }} }} – Early voting centres open in Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia.
- 11 October (6pm) – Applications for postal voting closes
- 14 October – Referendum day
- 27 October – Last day for receipt of postal votes
- 6 November – Writ returned{{cite web|url=https://www.aec.gov.au/media/2023/11-06.htm|title=Writ for the 2023 referendum returned today|work=aec.gov.au|date=6 November 2023}}
Proposed design of the Voice
{{excerpt|Indigenous Voice to Parliament#Structure and powers of the Voice}}
{{clear}}
Positions
{{further|Endorsements in the 2023 Australian Indigenous Voice referendum}}
=Political parties=
The following tables summarise the positions of registered political parties at the federal level. Disagreement between federal party rooms and state-level party branches within the Liberal–National Coalition is discussed below.
==Parliamentary parties==
==Non-parliamentary parties==
==Different stances within the Coalition==
Nationals leader David Littleproud announced on 28 November 2022 that his party would not support the Voice, with Senator for the Northern Territory Jacinta Price speaking out strongly against it. The decision led to Andrew Gee leaving the party to sit as an independent.{{Cite news |date=30 November 2022 |title=Split in Nationals over Indigenous Voice to Parliament as Andrew Gee breaks ranks |website=ABC News (Australia) |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-11-30/split-in-nationals-indigenous-voice-to-parliament-andrew-gee/101714738 |access-date=17 April 2023 |archive-date=16 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416183516/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-11-30/split-in-nationals-indigenous-voice-to-parliament-andrew-gee/101714738 |url-status=live }}|{{Cite web |title=Nationals will oppose Indigenous Voice to Parliament |url=https://www.9news.com.au/national/nationals-will-not-support-indigenous-voice-to-parliament-david-littleproud-politics-news/6a13603c-0473-4baf-8488-7fbc52cfc63d |date=28 November 2022 |first=Rebecca |last=Masters |access-date=23 January 2023 |website=Nine News |archive-date=28 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221128074437/https://www.9news.com.au/national/nationals-will-not-support-indigenous-voice-to-parliament-david-littleproud-politics-news/6a13603c-0473-4baf-8488-7fbc52cfc63d |url-status=live }} The Nationals oppose the Voice on a federal level and in two states (South Australia and Victoria), although the party supports it in New South Wales, and Western Australia.
Federally, the Liberal Party opposed the Voice, with leader Peter Dutton repeatedly asking for more information before they could make a decision, before deciding on 5 April 2023 to reject the Voice. The Liberals offered an alternative proposal and do support the constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians. Only backbenchers have been allowed a conscience vote on the issue, while members of the Coalition Shadow Ministry are obliged to oppose the Voice. Despite the Liberal Party's federal position, the party is supportive of the Voice in New South Wales and Tasmania. The Western Australian branch was initially supportive, but changed their position in August 2023. On 3 September, Dutton committed to hold a second referendum on Indigenous recognition if the Voice referendum failed, while also expressing support for his party's election proposal for a series of legislated local bodies (without a national one).{{cite news|url=https://www.9news.com.au/national/peter-dutton-pledges-second-voice-referendum-if-vote-fails/ce9c02e5-d72a-4cfe-ad6d-8506aee71c70|title=Peter Dutton pledges to hold second referendum if Voice vote fails|publisher=9News|date=2023-09-03|access-date=2023-09-16|archive-date=15 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230915105516/https://www.9news.com.au/national/peter-dutton-pledges-second-voice-referendum-if-vote-fails/ce9c02e5-d72a-4cfe-ad6d-8506aee71c70|url-status=live}}
Former Liberal MP, and Indigenous Australians Minister, Ken Wyatt, quit the Liberal Party on 6 April 2023, in response to the Federal Liberal Party's opposition to the Voice.{{Cite news |date=2023-04-06 |title=Former MP Ken Wyatt quits Liberals after party decides not to back Voice |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-04-06/ken-wyatt-quits-liberals-over-voice-to-parliament-stance/102197862 |access-date=2023-04-06 |archive-date=6 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406081744/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-04-06/ken-wyatt-quits-liberals-over-voice-to-parliament-stance/102197862 |url-status=live }} Later, Julian Leeser (the member for Berowra) resigned from the Shadow Cabinet to support the Voice and campaign for an improved wording, although he did not quit the party and still remains in Parliament as a Liberal backbencher.{{cite web |last=Karp |first=Paul |date=11 April 2023 |title=Julian Leeser resigns from shadow cabinet over Liberals' voice stance |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/apr/11/julian-leeser-resigns-from-shadow-cabinet-over-liberals-voice-stance |access-date=11 April 2023 |website=The Guardian |archive-date=11 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230411010645/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/apr/11/julian-leeser-resigns-from-shadow-cabinet-over-liberals-voice-stance |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Meacham |first=Savannah |date=11 April 2023 |title=Julian Leeser quits Liberal frontbench to support Voice to parliament |url=https://www.9news.com.au/national/shadow-attorney-general-julian-leeser-resigns-cabinet/11661bfb-8fcf-4076-83a4-2182ae5004cd |access-date=11 April 2023 |website=Nine News |format=video + text |archive-date=11 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230411015142/https://www.9news.com.au/national/shadow-attorney-general-julian-leeser-resigns-cabinet/11661bfb-8fcf-4076-83a4-2182ae5004cd |url-status=live }}
Since the resignation of Dominic Perrottet (a supporter of the Voice) as leader of the NSW Liberal Party after he led the party to defeat at the 2023 state election, most of the support for the Voice from Liberal members has come from Tasmania or from backbenchers, despite state branches refusing to bind their party or frontbenches by a stance (despite the federal Coalition binding its shadow ministers to oppose the Voice). Of other state Liberal leaders, New South Wales leader Mark Speakman{{cite web | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-12/nsw-lib-leader-mark-speakman-supports-the-voice-referendum/102722388 | title=NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman throws personal support behind the Voice referendum – ABC News | access-date=13 August 2023 | archive-date=13 August 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813054111/https://amp.abc.net.au/article/102722388 | url-status=live }}{{cite web | url=https://www.seymourtelegraph.com.au/national/liberal-leaders-remain-divided-on-indigenous-voice-vote/ | title=Liberal leaders remain divided on Indigenous voice vote | date=13 August 2023 | access-date=13 August 2023 | archive-date=13 August 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813054109/https://www.seymourtelegraph.com.au/national/liberal-leaders-remain-divided-on-indigenous-voice-vote/ | url-status=live }} supports the Voice, while Western Australian leader Libby Mettam initially supported the Voice, but then began opposing it due to the state's controversial Aboriginal heritage laws. The Liberals for Yes campaign was launched in 2023 as an attempt to attract support for the Voice from centre-right, liberal conservative individuals.{{Cite web|url=https://liberalsforyes.com.au/|title=Liberals for Yes|date=2 September 2023|website=Liberals for Yes|access-date=13 August 2023|archive-date=13 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813054108/https://liberalsforyes.com.au/|url-status=live}}
Similar to New South Wales, the Victorian Liberal Party has allowed its members a conscience vote on the issue. The Victorian branch has not yet declared its stance on the Voice. However, party leader John Pesutto confirmed his personal stance{{Cite news|url=https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/victorian-opposition-leader-john-pesutto-to-vote-no-on-indigenous-voice-20230904-p5e1vp.html|title=Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto to vote No on Indigenous Voice|first=Annika|last=Smethurst|author-link=Annika Smethurst|date=4 September 2023|newspaper=The Age|access-date=4 September 2023|archive-date=4 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230904065935/https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/victorian-opposition-leader-john-pesutto-to-vote-no-on-indigenous-voice-20230904-p5e1vp.html|url-status=live}} and other members have voiced their personal opinions (see below).{{Cite web |title=Voice to parliament: Yes campaign's only public backer in Victorian Liberals is Jess Wilson |url=https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/the-sole-victorian-liberal-mp-publicly-backing-the-voice-20230812-p5dvy5.html |access-date=2023-08-13 |website=amp.theage.com.au |archive-date=13 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813054112/https://amp.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/the-sole-victorian-liberal-mp-publicly-backing-the-voice-20230812-p5dvy5.html |url-status=live }}
=Independents=
=Former prime ministers=
=Newspaper endorsements=
| class="wikitable sortable right" |
| style="width:150px;"| Newspaper
!City !Owner !Endorsement |
|---|
| The Age |
| The Australian
|Nationwide |
| Herald Sun |
| The Spectator Australia
|Nationwide |
| The Sydney Morning Herald |
Legal commentary
{{excerpt|Indigenous Voice to Parliament#Legal commentary|subsections=yes}}
{{clear}}
Campaign
{{further|Endorsements in the 2023 Australian Indigenous Voice referendum}}
Campaigning for both sides of the question started in early 2023. Some of the groups and individuals involved are listed below.{{cite web | last1=Allam | first1=Lorena | first2=Josh | last2=Butler | title=Voice referendum: who's behind the yes and no campaigns and how do they plan to convince Australia? | website=The Guardian | date=20 February 2023 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/feb/20/voice-referendum-whos-behind-the-yes-and-no-campaigns-and-how-do-they-plan-to-convince-australia | access-date=15 April 2023 | archive-date=15 April 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230415195501/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/feb/20/voice-referendum-whos-behind-the-yes-and-no-campaigns-and-how-do-they-plan-to-convince-australia | url-status=live }}
File:Noel Pearson 8Feb10.jpg; a key figure for the Yes campaign]]
=Yes=
File:3X2 Voice Yes Southbank Brisbane 17 September 2023 PXL 20230917 010738950.MP.jpg |date=17 September 2023 |archive-date=18 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230918080411/https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/politics/queensland/voting-with-us-not-for-us-thousands-of-voice-supporters-march-in-brisbane-20230917-p5e58n.html |url-status=live }}]]
- Uphold and Recognise (2015) was founded by lawyer Damien Freeman and Coalition spokesperson on Indigenous Australians, Julian Leeser (who is no longer with the group). It is chaired by Sean Gordon, who is co-convenor of the Liberals for Yes group,{{cite interview | interviewer-last=Park | interviewer-first=Andy | first=Sean | last=Gordon | title=Sean Gordon to co-lead Liberals for Yes campaign | website=ABC Listen | format=audio + text | date=12 June 2023 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/radionational-drive/sean-grodon-co-lead-liberals-for-yes-campaign-voice-referendum/102470602 | access-date=22 September 2023 | archive-date=22 September 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922084019/https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/radionational-drive/sean-grodon-co-lead-liberals-for-yes-campaign-voice-referendum/102470602 | url-status=live }}{{cite news | last=Gordon | first=Sean | title=A voice will make right this country's history of division. Will Australians slap away our outstretched hand? | newspaper=The Guardian | date=15 September 2023 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/sep/15/a-voice-will-help-make-right-this-countrys-history-of-division-will-australians-slap-away-our-outstretched-hand | access-date=22 September 2023 | archive-date=20 September 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920081452/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/sep/15/a-voice-will-help-make-right-this-countrys-history-of-division-will-australians-slap-away-our-outstretched-hand | url-status=live }} and has been a member of the First Nations Referendum Working Group,{{cite web | title=Raised on Brewarrina Mission, Sean Gordon is the latest addition to the Order of Australia | website=NITV | date=11 June 2023 | url=https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/article/raised-on-brewarrina-mission-sean-gordon-is-the-latest-addition-to-the-order-of-australia/gx2y6xaro | access-date=22 September 2023 | archive-date=29 September 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230929001523/https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/article/raised-on-brewarrina-mission-sean-gordon-is-the-latest-addition-to-the-order-of-australia/gx2y6xaro | url-status=live }} and includes former Indigenous Australians minister Ken Wyatt as a board member. It follows a centre-right approach.
- The Uluru Dialogue (2017) is a collective that includes creators of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, along with various academics and lawyers based at the University of New South Wales; it is chaired by Megan Davis and Pat Anderson.
- From the Heart (2020) operated under the auspices of Noel Pearson's Cape York Institute in north Queensland.
- Australians for Indigenous Constitutional Recognition is a group of prominent Australians co-chaired by the director of the Business Council of Australia, Danny Gilbert, and Aboriginal filmmaker Rachel Perkins. Board members include Noel Pearson; Tony Nutt, former principal adviser to prime minister John Howard; and author and Indigenous Maritime Union of Australia official Thomas Mayo. This group ran the Yes23 campaign.{{cite web | title=About | website=Yes23 | url=https://yes23.com.au/about | access-date=14 June 2023 | archive-date=14 June 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230614093330/https://yes23.com.au/about | url-status=live }}
- Parliamentary friends of the Uluru Statement (launched on 13 February 2023) is a non-partisan group co-chaired by Labor's Gordon Reid; Liberal Bridget Archer; and Independent Allegra Spender.
According to Mayo, all of these campaign groups were working towards the same goal.
- The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council, based on a framework and foundation of subsidiarity.{{Cite web|url=https://indigenousvoice.church/|title=One Journey, Together|access-date=3 October 2023|archive-date=7 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907071400/https://indigenousvoice.church/|url-status=live}}
- Jack Beetson, co-founder and executive director of Aboriginal education initiative Literacy for Life sat on the referendum working group.{{Cite web |date=2023-04-09 |title=Voice would 'lift quality of life for everybody' |url=https://www.perthnow.com.au/politics/mundine-backs-liberals-practical-voice-proposal-c-10300718 |access-date=2023-10-07 |website=PerthNow |language=en |archive-date=11 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011113311/https://www.perthnow.com.au/politics/mundine-backs-liberals-practical-voice-proposal-c-10300718 |url-status=live }}
= No =
File:Jacinta Nampijinpa Price speaking at ARC Forum 2023, Day 2, 31 October 2023 (cropped).jpg: a key figure for the No campaign]]
File:Vote No sticker in 2023 Australian Indigenous Voice referendum, Queensland.jpg
- Advance (formerly Advance Australia), a conservative lobby group, set up a No campaign which included new social media advertising campaign titled "The Voice is Not Enough" (or just "Not Enough"),{{cite web | title=The Voice is not enough: vote now | website=Facebook | url=https://www.facebook.com/voiceisnotenough | access-date=2 June 2023 | archive-date=2 June 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602071615/https://www.facebook.com/voiceisnotenough | url-status=live }} aimed at a young demographic and targeting the "progressive no" vote, suggesting that the Voice would be too weak, or is not the main priority for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. A number of people have accused Advance of misrepresenting their views and using photographs of them in its campaign without their permission. Advance has been funded by millionaires such as Jet Couriers founder Brett Ralph, Kennards Self Storage head Sam Kennard, building material scion Rodney O'Neil, health company chief Marcus Blackmore and fund manager Simon Fenwick.{{cite news |last1=Crowe |first1=David |title=Revealed: The elite money behind the No campaign |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/revealed-the-elite-money-behind-the-no-campaign-20230913-p5e4eh.html |access-date=21 February 2024 |work=Sydney Morning Herald |date=15 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926084455/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/revealed-the-elite-money-behind-the-no-campaign-20230913-p5e4eh.html |archive-date=26 September 2023}}{{cite news | last=Campbell | first=David | title=No campaign accused of misrepresenting First Nations commentators in youth-targeted advertisements | work=ABC News (Australia) | date=2 June 2023 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-06-02/fact-check-fair-australia-not-enough-no-campaign-quotes/102422750 | access-date=2 June 2023 | archive-date=1 June 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601232257/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-06-02/fact-check-fair-australia-not-enough-no-campaign-quotes/102422750 | url-status=live }} In addition, the group has created a "Referendum News" Facebook page{{cite web | title=Referendum News | website=Facebook | url=https://www.facebook.com/referendumnews | access-date=2 June 2023 | archive-date=16 October 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231016052959/https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freferendumnews | url-status=live }} showing anti-Voice posts, and has advertised on Facebook and Instagram.{{cite web | last=Wilson | first=Cam | title=Anti-Voice 'news' Facebook page is run by the No camp, but you wouldn't know it | website=Crikey | date=22 May 2023 | url=https://www.crikey.com.au/2023/05/22/voice-to-parliament-no-advance-australia-unbranded-news-facebook-advertising-page/ | access-date=2 June 2023 | archive-date=2 June 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602073925/https://www.crikey.com.au/2023/05/22/voice-to-parliament-no-advance-australia-unbranded-news-facebook-advertising-page/ | url-status=live }} According to University of Technology Sydney political scientist Jeremy Walker, Advance also collaborated with fossil fuel companies and Atlas Network affiliates including the Centre for Independent Studies, Institute of Public Affairs and LibertyWorks to promote the No campaign.{{cite journal |last1=Walker |first1=Jeremy |title=Silencing the Voice: the Fossil-fuelled Atlas Network's Campaign against Constitutional Recognition of Indigenous Australia |journal=Cosmopolitan Civil Societies |date=30 September 2023 |volume=15 |issue=2 |page=105-125 |doi=10.5130/ccs.v15.i2.8813 |url=https://epress.lib.uts.edu.au/journals/index.php/mcs/article/view/8813/8267 |via=UTS ePRESS |access-date=20 February 2024|doi-access=free }}{{cite news |last1=Williams |first1=David |title=Chiding in plain sight, Part II |url=https://newsroom.co.nz/2023/11/02/chiding-in-plain-sight-part-two/ |access-date=20 February 2024 |work=Newsroom |date=2 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204203510/https://newsroom.co.nz/2023/11/02/chiding-in-plain-sight-part-two/ |archive-date=4 February 2024}}
- Australians for Unity, created on 11 May 2023, led by Warren Mundine and Jacinta Nampijinpa Price{{snd}}both Indigenous Australians. This is a merger of two key former campaigns:{{cite web | last1=Morse | first1=Dana | first2=Dan | last2=Bourchier | author2-link=Dan Bourchier | title=Key 'No' camps merge to form Australians for Unity to strengthen referendum campaign | website=ABC News (Australia) | date=11 May 2023 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-11/key-no-camps-merge-to-strengthen-referendum-campaign/102329478 | access-date=13 May 2023 | archive-date=12 May 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230512230906/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-11/key-no-camps-merge-to-strengthen-referendum-campaign/102329478 | url-status=live }}
- Recognise a Better Way was led by Mundine and included former Nationals deputy PM John Anderson, and former Keating government minister Gary Johns. The campaign, launched in January 2023, was set up by a group called the Voice No Case Committee. The committee included four Indigenous members: Mundine; Price (who left the group in February 2023 to join Advance); founder of the Kings Creek Station Ian Conway; and owner of Kemara enterprises Bob Liddle.{{Cite web |last=Grattan |first=Michelle |title=Former deputy prime minister John Anderson joins group spearheading "no" campaign on the Voice |url=http://theconversation.com/former-deputy-prime-minister-john-anderson-joins-group-spearheading-no-campaign-on-the-voice-195571 |access-date=2023-04-14 |website=The Conversation |date=30 January 2023 |language=en |archive-date=14 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230414031638/http://theconversation.com/former-deputy-prime-minister-john-anderson-joins-group-spearheading-no-campaign-on-the-voice-195571 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title= Home |url= https://www.recogniseabetterway.org.au/ |website= Recognise a Better Way |access-date= 17 April 2023 |archive-date= 13 April 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230413082342/https://www.recogniseabetterway.org.au/ |url-status= live }} Price officially deleted her membership of the Voice No Case Committee from the Senate register of pecuniary interests on 13 August 2023 (although she had never disclosed her interest before).{{cite web| url= https://theklaxon.com.au/ztem-64/| website= The Klaxon| title= Jacinta Price quits "no" campaign group| date= 19 September 2023| access-date= 19 September 2023| archive-date= 12 October 2023| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20231012190957/https://theklaxon.com.au/ztem-64/| url-status= live}}
- Fair Australia was a No campaign led by Jacinta Nampijinpa Price (who was originally part of the Recognise a Better Way group) under the auspices of Advance.{{efn|Advance emerged during the 2019 election, attacking activist group GetUp!, supporting Tony Abbott against the independent Zali Steggall (who won the seat), and campaigning against David Pocock.}}
- Blak Sovereign Movement,{{Cite web|url=https://blaksovereignmovement.com/|title=Home|website=Blak Sovereign Movement|access-date=7 September 2023|archive-date=7 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907061852/https://blaksovereignmovement.com/|url-status=live}} including Senator Lidia Thorpe, who spoke at the National Press Club on 16 August.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/aug/16/lidia-thorpe-calls-for-referendum-called-off-indigenous-voice-to-parliament-no-campaign|title=Lidia Thorpe says voice referendum should be called off and attacks 'powerless advisory body'|first=Sarah Basford|last=Canales|date=16 August 2023|website=The Guardian|access-date=7 September 2023|archive-date=7 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907061851/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/aug/16/lidia-thorpe-calls-for-referendum-called-off-indigenous-voice-to-parliament-no-campaign|url-status=live}}
=Advertising and media=
The government launched its official advertising campaign about the referendum in May 2022, to provide information about what the proposal is, what the Voice would do and how it would be set up, and to encourage Australians to prepare themselves for it.{{cite web| title=Get ready for a conversation about the Voice| website=The Voice| publisher=Australian Government| date=22 May 2022| url=https://voice.gov.au/news/get-ready-conversation-about-voice| access-date=5 October 2023| archive-date=6 October 2023| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231006050912/https://voice.gov.au/news/get-ready-conversation-about-voice| url-status=live}}{{cite web| title=Be ready to vote – 14 October 2023| website=The Voice| publisher=Australian Government| url=https://voice.gov.au/| access-date=5 October 2023| archive-date=5 October 2023| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005001324/https://voice.gov.au/| url-status=live}} The AEC (which is an independent statutory authority) launched its major education phase in August 2023, aimed at helping and educating voters to prepare for the referendum.{{cite web | title=Your Answer Matters – AEC launches 2023 referendum advertising campaign | website=Australian Electoral Commission | date=19 August 2023 | url=https://www.aec.gov.au/media/2023/08-19.htm | access-date=5 October 2023 | archive-date=5 October 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005052012/https://www.aec.gov.au/media/2023/08-19.htm | url-status=live }}
An analysis of various contributors to the campaigns published in early August suggested that the No campaign represented by Advance Australia were using fear as their underlying message, and focussing on prominent Yes campaigners such as Thomas Mayo and Teela Reid. The Blak Sovereign Movement argued that a treaty should be negotiated ahead of establishing the Voice. The Uluru Dialogue was using a sense of pride to show how the nation would be a better place with the Voice in place. Yes23 emphasised fairness and integrity. The report analysed the relative levels of success of the different approaches.{{cite web | last1=Sutton-Brady | first1=Catherine | last2=Laer | first2=Tom van | title=Fear vs pride: how do the Voice to Parliament ads try to influence voters? And is it effective? | website=The Conversation | date=2 August 2023 | url=https://theconversation.com/fear-vs-pride-how-do-the-voice-to-parliament-ads-try-to-influence-voters-and-is-it-effective-209834 | access-date=5 October 2023 | archive-date=6 October 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231006050910/https://theconversation.com/fear-vs-pride-how-do-the-voice-to-parliament-ads-try-to-influence-voters-and-is-it-effective-209834 | url-status=live }}
The Yes and No campaigns started advertising on social media in early 2023, and although both had spent around {{AUD|110,000}} on advertising on Facebook between mid-March and mid-June 2023, it was found that each had targeted different audiences. The biggest spenders were Fair Australia and Yes23.{{cite web | last=Briggs | first=Casey | title=What social media ads and polling tells us about the Voice to Parliament referendum campaign strategies so far | website=ABC News | date=24 June 2023 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-06-25/voice-no-campaign-strategy-facebook-ad-spend/102510194 | access-date=5 October 2023 | archive-date=5 October 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005091233/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-06-25/voice-no-campaign-strategy-facebook-ad-spend/102510194 | url-status=live }} From 3 September 2023, with John Farnham's support, "You're the Voice" was used to advocate for the Yes campaign as a soundtrack to a video ad.{{cite news| last=Visentin| first=Lisa| date=3 September 2023| url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/john-farnham-backs-voice-permits-his-anthem-to-front-yes-campaign-ad-20230901-p5e18t.html| title=John Farnham backs Voice, permits his anthem to front Yes campaign ad| newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald| access-date=3 September 2023| archive-date=3 September 2023| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230903020741/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/john-farnham-backs-voice-permits-his-anthem-to-front-yes-campaign-ad-20230901-p5e18t.html| url-status=live}} The video for the Yes campaign, which aired on several platforms, includes the 1983 America's Cup yacht race (won by an Australian yacht); the handback of Uluru to its traditional owners in 1985; and the landmark Mabo land rights case in 1992.{{cite web | last=Yu | first=Andi | title=John Farnham's hit song 'You're the Voice' the official soundtrack for the 2023 referendum Yes campaign | website=ABC News | location=Australia | date=3 September 2023 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-03/john-farnhams-youre-the-voice-for-referendum-yes-campaign/102806260 | access-date=3 September 2023 | archive-date=3 September 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230903013248/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-03/john-farnhams-youre-the-voice-for-referendum-yes-campaign/102806260 | url-status=live }}
At the end of August, the top five items on Facebook and X included several that were critical of the Voice and served the No campaign. Their analysis showed how negative stories can have the strongest impact on people's attention, and also how far articles on traditional media could reach on social media. At that time, the Yes23 campaign had spent more than any other campaign group; however, they were less geographically focused than spending by No campaigns. It concluded that while there were many more Yes than No ads published, its message was spread over 33 disparate themes, whole No ads predominantly covered only seven, which were all negative.{{cite web | last1=Carson | first1=Andrea | last2=Grömping | first2=Max | last3=Jackman | first3=Simon | title=Voice referendum: is the 'yes' or 'no' camp winning on social media, advertising spend and in the polls? | website=The Conversation | date=4 October 2023 | url=https://theconversation.com/voice-referendum-is-the-yes-or-no-camp-winning-on-social-media-advertising-spend-and-in-the-polls-208956 | access-date=5 October 2023 | archive-date=5 October 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005145456/https://theconversation.com/voice-referendum-is-the-yes-or-no-camp-winning-on-social-media-advertising-spend-and-in-the-polls-208956 | url-status=live }} By the end of September, online advertising by both camps was heavily focused on the Tasmania and South Australia, which were regarded as "battleground" states.{{cite web | last=Evershed | first=Nick | title=Voice referendum battlegrounds: digital ad spending surges in South Australia and Tasmania | website=the Guardian | date=28 September 2023 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/sep/29/voice-referendum-battlegrounds-digital-ad-spending-surges-in-south-australia-and-tasmania | access-date=5 October 2023 | archive-date=6 October 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231006050600/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/sep/29/voice-referendum-battlegrounds-digital-ad-spending-surges-in-south-australia-and-tasmania | url-status=live }} Fair Australia started using TikTok in May, and was using it far more extensively and proving more successful than the Yes campaign by October. Yes campaigners on other social media such as Facebook, X, and Instagram had large followings. This may reflect the fact that the younger demographic on TikTok were more likely to be Yes voters, and the No campaign wanted to reach them.{{cite web | last1=Carson | first1=Andrea | last2=Strating | first2=Rebecca | last3=Jackman | first3=Simon | title=The 'no' campaign is dominating the messaging on the Voice referendum on TikTok – here's why | website=The Conversation | date=4 October 2023 | url=https://theconversation.com/the-no-campaign-is-dominating-the-messaging-on-the-voice-referendum-on-tiktok-heres-why-212465 | access-date=5 October 2023 | archive-date=5 October 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005013758/https://theconversation.com/the-no-campaign-is-dominating-the-messaging-on-the-voice-referendum-on-tiktok-heres-why-212465 | url-status=live }}
There has been considerable activity in news and other traditional media from both sides of the debate,{{cite web | last=Muller | first=Denis | title=Journalists reporting on the Voice to Parliament do voters a disservice with 'he said, she said' approach | website=The Conversation | date=1 May 2023 | url=https://theconversation.com/journalists-reporting-on-the-voice-to-parliament-do-voters-a-disservice-with-he-said-she-said-approach-204361 | access-date=5 October 2023 | archive-date=6 October 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231006050909/https://theconversation.com/journalists-reporting-on-the-voice-to-parliament-do-voters-a-disservice-with-he-said-she-said-approach-204361 | url-status=live }} including TV news (used by around 58% of Australians in 2023), news published online (51%), and in print (19%).{{cite web | title=Australia: news sources 2023 | website=Statista | date=14 June 2023 | url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/588441/australia-news-sources/ | access-date=5 October 2023 | archive-date=6 October 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231006050909/https://www.statista.com/statistics/588441/australia-news-sources/ | url-status=live }}
Mass media in Australia are highly concentrated,{{cite journal | last=Lidberg | first=Johan | title=The distortion of the Australian public sphere: Media ownership concentration in Australia | journal=AQ: Australian Quarterly | publisher=Australian Institute of Policy and Science | volume=90 | issue=1 | year=2019 | issn=1443-3605 | jstor=26563019 | pages=12–20 | url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/26563019 | access-date=5 October 2023 | archive-date=6 October 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231006050909/https://www.jstor.org/stable/26563019 | url-status=live }} with Rupert Murdoch's News Corp Australia dominating the landscape, owning over two-thirds of leading newspapers along with most online news websites;{{cite web | title=Australia | website=Reporters Without Borders | date=1 January 2023 | url=https://rsf.org/en/country/australia | access-date=5 October 2023 | archive-date=28 April 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220428174928/https://rsf.org/en/country/australia | url-status=live }}{{cite web | last=Campbell | first=David | title=How large is Rupert Murdoch's reach through News Corp in Australian media, old and new? | website=ABC News | date=13 April 2021 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-04-14/fact-file-rupert-murdoch-media-reach-in-australia/100056660 | access-date=5 October 2023 | archive-date=6 October 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231006050909/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-04-14/fact-file-rupert-murdoch-media-reach-in-australia/100056660 | url-status=live }} three News Corp outlets occupy the top three positions in the nation, based on popularity and viewership.{{cite web | last=Tazewell | first=Charlie | title=Top 4 Australian media outlets based on popularity and viewership | website=Quilter | date=18 July 2020 | url=https://www.quilter.com.au/top-4-australian-media-outlets-based-on-popularity-and-viewership/ | access-date=5 October 2023 | archive-date=6 October 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231006050911/https://www.quilter.com.au/top-4-australian-media-outlets-based-on-popularity-and-viewership/ | url-status=live }} An interim report commissioned by the Australians for a Murdoch Royal Commission group as part of its "Murdoch Referendum Accountability Project" was published in September 2023. University of Adelaide academic Victoria Fielding and a team of researchers analysed data on reporting and commentary by News Corp about the Voice between July and August 2023, covering The Australian, Herald Sun, Daily Telegraph, and Sky News Australia. It found that on the whole, news reporting was unbiased and accurate, but the opinion pieces were almost all in favour of the No vote. The majority of News Corp's content was commentary, not reporting, so when the various articles and videos were examined together, around 70% of the coverage favoured No arguments. Andrew Bolt and Peta Credlin were the top contributors in favour of a No vote.{{cite report| url=https://murdochroyalcommission.org.au/wp-content/uploads/Poisinging-the-Debate-Interim-Report.pdf| author=Fielding, Victoria| publisher=Australians for a Murdoch Royal Commission| title=Poisoning the debate: How the Murdoch press is campaigning against the Voice: Interim report: 17 July – 27 August 2023| date=September 2023| series=Murdoch Referendum Accountability Project| access-date=5 October 2023| archive-date=29 September 2023| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230929071903/https://murdochroyalcommission.org.au/wp-content/uploads/Poisinging-the-Debate-Interim-Report.pdf| url-status=live}}
==Incidents==
In July 2023, a cartoon ad promoting the No campaign in the lead-up to the referendum was published by Advance Australia in the Australian Financial Review, featuring caricatures of Thomas Mayo a signatory and advocate of the Indigenous Voice to Parliament, along with, MP and Yes advocate Kate Chaney, and her father businessman Michael Chaney. This led to bipartisan condemnation of the ad as "racist".{{cite web | last=Worthington | first=Brett | title=No campaign advertisement dubbed 'personal and racist attack' on Voice Yes campaigner Thomas Mayo | website=ABC News | date=6 July 2023 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-07-06/no-voice-newspaper-ad-dubbed-racist/102304488 | access-date=13 August 2023 | archive-date=12 August 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812185626/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-07-06/no-voice-newspaper-ad-dubbed-racist/102304488 | url-status=live }} The AFR later apologised for the ad.{{cite web | last=Butler | first=Josh | title=AFR apologises for running voice no campaign ad featuring 'racist trope' | website=The Guardian | date=6 July 2023 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/jul/06/no-campaign-cartoon-ad-newspaper-indigenous-voice-to-parliament | access-date=13 August 2023 | archive-date=9 August 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230809073630/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/jul/06/no-campaign-cartoon-ad-newspaper-indigenous-voice-to-parliament | url-status=live }}{{cite web | last=Wedesweiler | first=Madeleine | title=Australian newspaper apologises over 'racist' ad from No campaign | website=SBS News | date=6 July 2023 | url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/australian-newspaper-apologises-over-racist-ad-from-voice-to-parliament-no-campaign/hic3jkzuq | access-date=13 August 2023 | archive-date=15 August 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230815035232/https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/australian-newspaper-apologises-over-racist-ad-from-voice-to-parliament-no-campaign/hic3jkzuq | url-status=live }}
In July 2023, Big W, an Australian chain of discount department stores, announced it would stop its in-store announcements that expressed support for the Indigenous voice to parliament.{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/jul/21/indigenous-voice-to-parliament-big-w-in-store-announcement | title=Big W ditches in-store announcements that supported Indigenous voice to parliament | newspaper=The Guardian | date=21 July 2023 | last1=Barrett | first1=Jonathan | access-date=12 October 2023 | archive-date=12 October 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012233820/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/jul/21/indigenous-voice-to-parliament-big-w-in-store-announcement | url-status=live }}{{cite web | url=https://thewest.com.au/business/retail/indigenous-voice-to-parliament-big-w-to-stop-supportive-in-store-announcements-after-complaints-c-11338232 | title=Big W stops in-store Voice support over customer complaints | date=20 July 2023 | access-date=12 October 2023 | archive-date=12 October 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012233826/https://thewest.com.au/business/retail/indigenous-voice-to-parliament-big-w-to-stop-supportive-in-store-announcements-after-complaints-c-11338232 | url-status=live }}{{cite web | url=https://au.news.yahoo.com/big-w-backflips-on-indigenous-voice-move-063840509.html | title=Big W backflips on Indigenous Voice move | date=21 July 2023 | access-date=12 October 2023 | archive-date=12 October 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012233820/https://au.news.yahoo.com/big-w-backflips-on-indigenous-voice-move-063840509.html | url-status=live }}
In early October, the AEC asked the Yes campaign to remove a social media post that contained a misleading graphic that could cause No voters to cast an invalid vote.{{cite news |last=Wu |first=David |date=4 October 2023 |title=Yes23 campaign deletes tweet suggesting No voters could put a cross on Voice to Parliament ballot after AEC flagged it would not be counted as a formal vote |url=https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/voice-to-parliament/yes23-campaign-deletes-tweet-suggesting-no-voters-could-put-a-cross-on-voice-to-parliament-ballot-after-aec-flagged-it-would-not-be-counted-as-a-formal-vote/news-story/fba4dbf82898246908f446f7232e4aaf |work=Sky News Australia |location= |access-date=7 October 2023 |archive-date=7 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007045145/https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/voice-to-parliament/yes23-campaign-deletes-tweet-suggesting-no-voters-could-put-a-cross-on-voice-to-parliament-ballot-after-aec-flagged-it-would-not-be-counted-as-a-formal-vote/news-story/fba4dbf82898246908f446f7232e4aaf |url-status=live }}
In early October, the AEC asked the Yes campaign to move their signage away from theirs to avoid confusion, because both were of a similar purple colour.{{cite web | url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/yes23-warned-by-aec-on-potentially-misleading-purple-signs-20231003-p5e99p.html | title=Yes23 warned by AEC on 'potentially misleading' purple signs | date=3 October 2023 | access-date=3 October 2023 | archive-date=3 October 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003044146/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/yes23-warned-by-aec-on-potentially-misleading-purple-signs-20231003-p5e99p.html | url-status=live }}{{cite web | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-10-03/yes23-campaign-asked-to-keep-purple-white-signs-away-from-aec/102927986 | title=Yes23 campaign warned over signs which could 'mislead' voters at polling stations | newspaper=ABC News | date=3 October 2023 | access-date=3 October 2023 | archive-date=3 October 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003095925/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-10-03/yes23-campaign-asked-to-keep-purple-white-signs-away-from-aec/102927986 | url-status=live }}{{cite web | last=Burns | first=Brielle | title=Yes camp smashed over 'misleading' Voice act | website=news.com.au | date=2 October 2023 | url=https://www.news.com.au/national/politics/yes-camp-smashed-over-misleading-voice-act-after-releasing-purple-campaign-signage/news-story/8f48598778f4ce1c6e4616833040a109 | access-date=3 October 2023 | archive-date=12 October 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012122605/https://www.news.com.au/national/politics/yes-camp-smashed-over-misleading-voice-act-after-releasing-purple-campaign-signage/news-story/8f48598778f4ce1c6e4616833040a109 | url-status=live }}{{cite web | url=https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/aec-contacts-the-yes23-campaign-over-potential-confusion-caused-by-colour-scheme-on-vote-yes-signs-at-referendum-voting-centres/news-story/7260776b7874921da2623b8c6bd6e278 | website=Sky News Australia | title=AEC contacts Yes23 campaign over 'potential confusion' caused by voting centre signs | date=2 October 2023 | access-date=3 October 2023 | archive-date=3 October 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003142543/https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/aec-contacts-the-yes23-campaign-over-potential-confusion-caused-by-colour-scheme-on-vote-yes-signs-at-referendum-voting-centres/news-story/7260776b7874921da2623b8c6bd6e278 | url-status=live }}
=Misinformation and disinformation=
Some opponents of the Voice, primarily right-wing and far-right politicians and commentators, internet trolls, and members of the sovereign citizen movement, have spread online misinformation, disinformation and unfounded conspiracy theories regarding the referendum. This activity is most prominent on Telegram, Twitter and WeChat.{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-10-07/wechat-chinese-community-voice-to-parliament-information-silo/102939104|last1=Cheng|first1=Joyce|last2=Dziedzic|first2=Stephen|title=Are Chinese Australians getting both sides of the argument on the Voice?|website=ABC News|date=7 October 2023|access-date=29 April 2024}}{{cite web | last=McIlroy | first=Tom | title=Trolls, China spreading Voice disinformation | website=Australian Financial Review | date=28 August 2023 | url=https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/trolls-china-spreading-voice-disinformation-20230828-p5dzvm | access-date=21 September 2023 | archive-date=20 September 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920053400/https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/trolls-china-spreading-voice-disinformation-20230828-p5dzvm | url-status=live }} According to independent monitors and fact-checkers, online debate has focused on race, particularly on Twitter. Ben James, editor of the Australian Associated Press FactCheck team, which monitors content on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, says that the amount of misinformation and disinformation had by early September exceeded that which had been observed on social media ahead of the 2022 Australian election. Leading Indigenous campaigner Thomas Mayo has been subjected to a great deal of racial abuse. While some misinformation has been observed from people on both sides of the discussion, there was generally more on the No side – although it is noted that not all of the claims emanated from the official No campaign. Social media experts have observed "bot-like behaviour" that spread the same content across social media.{{cite web | last=Ritchie | first=Hannah | title=Voice referendum: Lies fuel racism ahead of Australia's Indigenous vote | website=BBC News | date=5 September 2023 | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-66470376 | access-date=27 September 2023 | archive-date=27 September 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230927015237/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-66470376 | url-status=live }}
A preprint study in September 2023 showed Yes tweets dominating the Twitter platform, including amplification of misinformation and conspiracy theories created by the No side, with the Yes voters trying to fact-check and correct them. Politicians and media were also increasing the themes of "racial division" and "hidden agenda" on Twitter, in particular Sky News Australia. Many of the No accounts appeared to be recently created and suspicious, although there was little evidence of social bots. The preprint concluded "Overall, our findings reveal a media ecosystem fraught with confusion, conspiratorial sensemaking, and strategic media manipulation".{{cite web|last=Graham|first=Timothy|date=8 September 2023|title=Understanding Misinformation and Media Manipulation on Twitter During the Voice to Parliament Referendum|via=OSF Preprints|url=https://osf.io/preprints/osf/qu2fb|doi=10.31219/osf.io/qu2fb|edition=4|access-date=29 September 2023}}{{self published inline|reason=This pre-print isn't peer-reviewed|date=October 2023}}
It was reported{{by whom|date=October 2023}} that much of the misleading information and disinformation has been promoted by internet trolls linked to the Chinese Communist Party, with China being accused of espionage, attempting to undermine Western influence and attempting to silence Western criticism of human rights abuses in China. An analysis by Recorded Future confirmed the findings of Australian Strategic Policy Institute in this regard but found no evidence that Iran or Russia were trying to influence the debate. Chinese social media platforms such as WeChat also prominently spread misinformation and occasionally even racism.
Australian Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers said that social media had not adequately dealt with misinformation and disinformation on their platforms; of 47 reported by the AEC as being of concern, only 16 had been taken down.
RMIT FactLab, which had been checking some of the claims made by the No campaign, including that the Uluru Statement comprised more than one page, was suspended by Meta as its key fact-checking organisation in August 2023 because its certification from the International Fact-Checking Network had expired in December 2022.{{cite web | title=Meta suspends fact-checker ahead of Voice referendum | website=National Indigenous Times | date=30 August 2023 | url=https://nit.com.au/30-08-2023/7428/meta-suspends-fact-checker-ahead-of-voice-referendum | access-date=21 September 2023 | archive-date=21 September 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921073042/https://nit.com.au/30-08-2023/7428/meta-suspends-fact-checker-ahead-of-voice-referendum | url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Houghton |first=Jack |date=2023-08-30 |title=ABC embroiled in RMIT foreign-funded fact checking scandal as pressure mounts for review |url=https://www.skynews.com.au/business/media/abc-embroiled-in-rmit-foreignfunded-fact-checking-scandal-as-pressure-mounts-for-the-national-broadcaster-to-cut-ties-with-the-university/news-story/3a66512c2345ab83ab35b18550beecda |access-date=2023-09-16 |website=Sky News Australia |archive-date=18 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230918110508/https://www.skynews.com.au/business/media/abc-embroiled-in-rmit-foreignfunded-fact-checking-scandal-as-pressure-mounts-for-the-national-broadcaster-to-cut-ties-with-the-university/news-story/3a66512c2345ab83ab35b18550beecda |url-status=live }}{{cite web | last=Butler | first=Josh | title=Facebook suspends RMIT FactLab after voice no campaigners criticise factchecker | website=The Guardian | date=29 August 2023 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/aug/29/facebook-meta-suspends-rmit-factlab-factchecker-indigenous-voice-to-parliament-referendum | access-date=21 September 2023 | archive-date=22 September 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922055304/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/aug/29/facebook-meta-suspends-rmit-factlab-factchecker-indigenous-voice-to-parliament-referendum | url-status=live }} However, it continues its work and is regularly published by ABC News.{{cite web | last=Campbell | first=David | title=Secret agendas, context-free claims and mistaken identities: these are the key themes in Voice to Parliament misinformation | website=ABC News | date=28 September 2023 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-29/fact-check-voice-to-parliament-misinformation/102913680 | access-date=4 October 2023 | archive-date=4 October 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004083853/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-29/fact-check-voice-to-parliament-misinformation/102913680 | url-status=live }}
=Quality of public debate=
Concerns were aired about the quality of public debate, by both campaigns and private individuals on both sides of the debate,{{cite web | last=Kelly | first=Sean | title=Voice to parliament stirring up 200 years of messy Australian history | website=The Sydney Morning Herald | date=17 September 2023 | url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/we-ve-been-avoiding-this-for-200-years-no-wonder-the-voice-debate-has-turned-so-ugly-20230915-p5e536.html | access-date=6 October 2023 | url-access=subscription | archive-date=7 October 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007045144/https://www.smh.com.au/national/we-ve-been-avoiding-this-for-200-years-no-wonder-the-voice-debate-has-turned-so-ugly-20230915-p5e536.html | url-status=live }} in some cases describing it as divisive and "toxic".{{cite web | title=Australian PM's hopes for unifying aboriginal referendum dashed as debate turns toxic | website=The Straits Times | date=25 September 2023 | url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/australianz/australian-pm-s-hopes-for-unifying-aboriginal-referendum-dashed-as-debate-turns-toxic | access-date=6 October 2023 | archive-date=16 October 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231016053525/https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/australianz/australian-pm-s-hopes-for-unifying-aboriginal-referendum-dashed-as-debate-turns-toxic | url-status=live }} Political commentator Laura Tingle described the debate as "bitter", criticising the No campaign in particular.{{cite web | last=Tingle | first=Laura | author-link=Laura Tingle | title=Voice to parliament: Depressing quality of referendum debate | website=Australian Financial Review | date=6 October 2023 | url=https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/depressed-by-the-voice-debate-no-wonder-20231005-p5e9y5 | access-date=6 October 2023 | archive-date=7 October 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007045144/https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/depressed-by-the-voice-debate-no-wonder-20231005-p5e9y5 | url-status=live }}
Marcia Langton was accused of calling No voters "racists",{{Cite news |last=Chung |first=Frank |date=14 September 2023 |title=Yes campaigner Marcia Langton's heated comments resurface after branding No campaign 'racist' |work=news.com.au |url=https://www.news.com.au/finance/work/leaders/yes-campaigner-marcia-langtons-heated-comments-resurface-after-branding-no-campaign-racist/news-story/36c04eb41f5008383f585df11fa65e13}} after The Australian published an article headlined "Langton brands No voters 'racist, stupid{{'"}};{{cite web | last=Butler | first=Josh | title=Marcia Langton denies criticising no voters, and says media is targeting her | website=the Guardian | date=12 September 2023 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/sep/12/marcia-langton-denies-criticising-no-voters-and-says-media-is-targeting-her | access-date=6 October 2023 | archive-date=6 October 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231006002159/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/sep/12/marcia-langton-denies-criticising-no-voters-and-says-media-is-targeting-her | url-status=live }} she claimed she was referring to the tactics of No campaigners, not the voters, which she said were "based in racism and stupidity".{{cite web | last=Roberts | first=Georgia | title=Marcia Langton 'racism' comments thrown into Voice debate during Question Time | website=ABC News | date=13 September 2023 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-13/marcia-langton-clarifies-no-camp-racism-comments/102848644 | access-date=6 October 2023 | archive-date=5 October 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005222446/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-13/marcia-langton-clarifies-no-camp-racism-comments/102848644 | url-status=live }}
There has been racism directed against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,{{cite web | title=As vote nears, 'horrific racism' mars Australian Voice referendum campaign — Racism News | website=Al Jazeera | date=6 October 2023 | url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/6/as-vote-nears-horrific-racism-mars-australian-voice-referendum-campaign | access-date=6 October 2023 | archive-date=6 October 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231006034139/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/6/as-vote-nears-horrific-racism-mars-australian-voice-referendum-campaign | url-status=live }} including criticism of unrelated topics such as Welcomes to Country, claims that Indigenous people have special treatment, and promulgation of racist stereotypes.{{cite web | last=Allam | first=Lorena | title=The voice debate has been a long fight – and the blows have landed hardest on First Nations people | website=the Guardian | date=28 September 2023 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/commentisfree/2023/sep/29/the-voice-debate-has-been-a-long-fight-and-the-blows-have-landed-hardest-on-first-nations-people | access-date=6 October 2023 | archive-date=6 October 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231006214210/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/commentisfree/2023/sep/29/the-voice-debate-has-been-a-long-fight-and-the-blows-have-landed-hardest-on-first-nations-people | url-status=live }} "Progressive No" campaigner Lidia Thorpe, who herself has been subject to racist abuse and death threats, exposed a video of a hooded man making racist remarks, burning an Aboriginal flag, and giving a Nazi salute. Abuse towards campaigners on both sides reportedly affected the mental health of several people.{{Cite web |website=Sky News Australia |title=No campaigner reveals abuse and threats that led to mental health struggles |url=https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/voice-to-parliament/no-campaigner-reveals-abuse-and-threats-that-led-to-mental-health-struggles/video/10f21f81c533263d83921380d9fecdce |access-date=2023-10-06 |date=23 July 2023 |archive-date=7 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007050647/https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/voice-to-parliament/no-campaigner-reveals-abuse-and-threats-that-led-to-mental-health-struggles/video/10f21f81c533263d83921380d9fecdce |url-status=live }}
Opinion polling
Despite "Yes" having a large lead in opinion polls initially, public opinion slowly began shifting in favour of "No" in late 2022, with the latter coming out ahead in every poll taken from July 2023 (a month after the Constitutional Amendment bill passed through the Senate) onward.{{excerpt|Opinion polling for the 2023 Australian Indigenous Voice referendum}}
{{clear}}
Early voting
On 4 October, the AEC reported that 903,570 votes had been cast after three days of early voting.{{cite web | last=Rawling | first=Caitlin | title=More than 900,000 early votes cast in Voice to Parliament referendum in three days — as it happened | website=ABC News | date=3 October 2023 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-10-04/voice-to-parliament-referendum-live-blog-october-4/102930762 | access-date=5 October 2023 | archive-date=5 October 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005074842/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-10-04/voice-to-parliament-referendum-live-blog-october-4/102930762 | url-status=live }}
By polling day, 6 million early votes had been cast at pre-poll centres, and 2 million postal votes were expected.{{cite news|url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8358637/how-soon-will-we-know-the-voice-referendum-result/|title=How soon will we know the October 14 Voice to Parliament referendum result?|work=The Canberra Times|date=2023-10-14|access-date=14 October 2023|archive-date=14 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014063812/https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8358637/how-soon-will-we-know-the-voice-referendum-result/|url-status=live}}
Result
The Constitutional amendment was rejected in both the state and national vote counts, with the Australian Capital Territory being the only state or territory with a majority "yes" vote.{{Cite web |date=2023-10-14 |title=Australia rejects historic Indigenous referendum |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-67110193 |access-date=2023-10-14 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB |archive-date=14 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014154957/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-67110193 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=2023-10-14 |title=PM says Australia must do better for first peoples as Voice referendum voted down |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-10-14/voters-reject-indigeneous-voice-to-parliament-referendum/102974522 |access-date=2023-10-15 |archive-date=15 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015034213/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-10-14/voters-reject-indigeneous-voice-to-parliament-referendum/102974522 |url-status=live }}
Despite some predictions of a low turnout, the participation rate for the referendum was 89.92%, just higher than the rate for the 2022 election of 89.82%. Similarly, despite concerns about ticks and crosses,{{Efn|A tick was counted as "yes", but a cross was deemed ambiguous and so treated as informal and not counted at all.{{cite web|url=https://www.aec.gov.au/referendums/vote/completing-the-ballot-paper.html|title=Completing the ballot paper|publisher=Australian Electoral Commission|access-date=2023-11-07}}{{cite web|url=https://antonygreen.com.au/how-many-voters-mark-referendum-ballot-papers-with-a-cross-not-many-based-on-evidence/|title=How many Voters mark Referendum Ballot Papers with a Cross? Not many based on evidence.|author=Antony Green|date=2023-09-15|access-date=2023-11-07}}}} the informal voting rate was 0.98%, comparable to the rate for the republic referendum of 0.86% and lower than the typical rate for federal elections of around 2%.{{Cite web |last=Green |first=Antony |date=2023-10-24 |title=The Voice Referendum Results by Vote Type and Electoral Division |url=https://antonygreen.com.au/some-graphs-on-the-voice-referendum-result/ |access-date=2023-11-07 |language=en-AU}}
Regions with a high proportion of Indigenous Australians overwhelmingly voted yes in the referendum. Labor MP for Lingiari, Marion Scrymgour suggested that 74% of the 11,000 people that live in the division's remote areas voted yes.{{Cite news |last=Beazley |first=Jordyn |date=2023-10-15 |title=Indigenous communities overwhelmingly voted yes to Australia's voice to parliament |language= |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/oct/15/indigenous-communities-overwhelmingly-voted-yes-to-australias-voice-to-parliament |access-date=2023-10-23 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=23 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231023061644/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/oct/15/indigenous-communities-overwhelmingly-voted-yes-to-australias-voice-to-parliament |url-status=live }} The highest vote in support of yes in an Indigenous community was in Wadeye, at 92.1%. The Tiwi Islands voted 84% in favour, and Maningrida recorded an 88% yes vote. However, many of these remote communities also had a very low turnout, with Palm Island, which recorded a yes vote of around 75%, having a preliminary participation rate of around 1 in 3.{{Cite web |last=Bowe |first=William |date=2023-10-16 |title=Crunching the numbers on Indigenous support for the Voice |url=https://www.crikey.com.au/2023/10/16/voice-to-parliament-indigenous-support-voting-numbers/ |access-date=2023-10-23 |website=Crikey |archive-date=24 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231024055659/https://www.crikey.com.au/2023/10/16/voice-to-parliament-indigenous-support-voting-numbers/ |url-status=live }} Warren Mundine suggested that the low turn-out in remote communities indicated "that, at best, most Aboriginal people of voting age in remote communities didn't vote at all, and the percentage who voted Yes was less than 30 per cent".{{cite news |last1=Mundine |first1=Nyunggai Warren |author-link=Warren Mundine |date=24 January 2024 |title=Change the date but celebrate the day |url=https://www.afr.com/politics/change-the-date-but-celebrate-the-day-20240124-p5ezom |url-access=subscription |access-date=24 January 2024 |work=Australian Financial Review |publisher=Nine Entertainment |agency=}} Election analyst Antony Green argued that drawing conclusions based on a relation between the vote of an electorate and its recorded Indigenous population was an example of the ecological fallacy as the data could not be used to predict the vote of individual voters.{{Cite web |last=Green |first=Antony |date=2023-10-17 |title=The Most Meaningless Graph I've Ever Drawn |url=https://antonygreen.com.au/the-most-meaningless-graph-ive-ever-drawn/ |access-date= |website=Antony Green's Election Blog |language=en-AU}}
=National=
File:Ballot Paper at the 2023 Australian Indigenous Voice referendum.jpg
{{Excerpt|Results of the 2023 Australian Indigenous Voice referendum|National}}
=States and territories=
File:Voting voice referendum 2023.jpg
{{Excerpt|Results of the 2023 Australian Indigenous Voice referendum|States and territories}}
Analysis
Analysis of the referendum results and of survey data collected before and immediately after the referendum was conducted by the Australian National University to attempt to gauge the intention and reasoning of voters. The report concluded that:{{Cite web |last=Biddle |first=Nicholas |date=2023-11-27 |title=Detailed analysis of the 2023 Voice to Parliament Referendum and related social and political attitudes |url=https://csrm.cass.anu.edu.au/sites/default/files/docs/2023/11/Detailed_analysis_of_the_2023_Voice_to_Parliament_Referendum_and_related_social_and_political_attitudes.pdf |website=Australian National University |publisher=The ANU Centre for Social Research and Methods |page=iii}}
{{Blockquote|text=The data suggests that Australians voted no because they didn’t want division and remain sceptical of rights for some Australians that are not held by others. The data suggests that Australians think that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians continue to suffer levels of disadvantage that is both caused by past government policies and that justified extra government assistance. They did not see the Voice model put to them as the right approach to remedy that disadvantage.}}
The results also demonstrated some evidence of an urban–rural political divide.{{cite news | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-10-15/nsw-votes-no-indigenous-voice-referendum-demographics-result/102976968 | title=Voice result reveals more than just Australia's country-city divide | newspaper=ABC News | date=14 October 2023 }} The four electorates returning more than 70% of votes in favour of Yes were the namesake electorates centred on the central business districts of Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra, as well as Prime Minister Albanese's inner Sydney electorate of Grayndler. By contrast, the only five electorates to return less than 20% of votes in favour of Yes — Maranoa, Flynn, Capricornia, Hinkler and Dawson — were all rural electorates in southern and central Queensland.
Analysis by DemosAU concluded that fear of constitutional change in general was the primary reason for the referendum's failure, with 29% of the electorate opposed to any change and 23% believing it should only be changed "if it doesn't work". They concluded that the referendum would have failed regardless of the proposal without bi-partisan support.{{Cite web |last=DesmosAU |title=Voice to Parliament Research: What Drove The No Victory? |url=https://demosau.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Voice-to-Parliament-Research-What-Drove-The-No-Victory.pdf}}
Aftermath
Once the referendum result became clear on the night of 14 October, Yes23 campaign co-chair Rachel Perkins called for a week of silence "to grieve this outcome and reflect on its meaning and significance".{{Cite web |title=Indigenous yes advocates have called for a week of silence post-referendum |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/article/indigenous-yes-advocates-have-called-for-a-week-of-silence-post-referendum/upp1jn4ak |access-date=2023-10-20 |website=NITV |language=en |archive-date=19 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231019232959/https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/article/indigenous-yes-advocates-have-called-for-a-week-of-silence-post-referendum/upp1jn4ak |url-status=live }} After this period, an unsigned open letter was distributed by the public relations firm that had worked for the Uluru Dialogue (a key yes group based at the Indigenous Law Centre of UNSW Sydney){{Cite web |last=Foley |first=Mike |date=2023-10-23 |title='Shameful victory': Indigenous leaders' bitter lesson from Voice campaign |url=https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/politics/federal/declaration-of-war-mundine-rejects-criticism-from-yes-campaign-20231022-p5ee3g.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=Brisbane Times |publisher=Nine Entertainment |language=en |archive-date=22 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022054900/https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/politics/federal/declaration-of-war-mundine-rejects-criticism-from-yes-campaign-20231022-p5ee3g.html |url-status=live }} that decried the result as "unbelievable and appalling" and concluded that constitutional recognition would no longer be possible.{{Cite web |last=[Unknown] |date=22 October 2023 |title=Open Letter: Statement for Our People and Country |url=https://fpdn.org.au/open-letter-statement-for-our-people-and-country/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231026080612/https://fpdn.org.au/open-letter-statement-for-our-people-and-country/ |archive-date=26 October 2023 |access-date=26 October 2023 |website=First Peoples Disability Network Australia}} It also highlighted the role the Liberal and National parties had in the defeat, stating "there was little the yes campaign could do to countervail" the impact of their opposition.{{Cite news |last=Canales |first=Sarah Basford |date=2023-10-22 |title=Yes supporters say voice referendum 'unleashed a tsunami of racism' |language= |work=The Guardian Australia |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/oct/22/indigenous-groups-say-voice-referendum-unleashed-a-tsunami-of-racism |access-date= |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=23 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231023010825/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/oct/22/indigenous-groups-say-voice-referendum-unleashed-a-tsunami-of-racism |url-status=live }} Warren Mundine responded to the letter, saying it was a "disgraceful attack on Australia and Australian people".{{Cite web |last=Staveley |first=Patrick |date=2023-10-23 |title='Disgraceful attack on Australia': Warren Mundine tees off on Yes supporters' open letter |url=https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/voice-to-parliament/warren-mundine-hits-back-at-yes-camp-over-open-letter-that-accused-australians-of-shameful-act-for-voting-no-in-referendum/news-story/c2bf88a02f48bf4f0ea1b0c1446db62f |access-date= |website=Sky News Australia |publisher=News Corp |language=en |archive-date=26 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231026081413/https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/voice-to-parliament/warren-mundine-hits-back-at-yes-camp-over-open-letter-that-accused-australians-of-shameful-act-for-voting-no-in-referendum/news-story/c2bf88a02f48bf4f0ea1b0c1446db62f |url-status=live }}
The result was perceived by many as a significant setback to reconciliation in Australia.{{Cite news |last1=Menon |first1=Praveen |last2=Jackson |first2=Lewis |last3=Cole |first3=Wayne |date=15 October 2023 |title=Australia rejects Indigenous referendum in setback for reconciliation |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/voting-begins-australia-landmark-indigenous-voice-referendum-2023-10-13/ |work=Reuters}}{{Cite web |last=Hobbs |first=Harry |author-link=Harry Hobbs |title=Reconciliation Rejected: Is Constitutional Change Possible after the Voice Referendum in Australia? |url=https://constitutionnet.org/news/reconciliation-rejected-constitutional-change-possible-after-voice-referendum-australia |access-date=2024-01-29 |website=ConstitutionNet |language=en}} Aboriginal academic and pro-Voice campaigner Marcia Langton declared that Australian voters' rejection of the Voice made it "very clear that Reconciliation is dead".{{Cite web |last=Langton |first=Marcia |date=2023-10-14 |title=Marcia Langton: 'Whatever the outcome, reconciliation is dead' |url=https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/indigenous-affairs/2023/10/14/marcia-langton-whatever-the-outcome-reconciliation-dead |url-access=subscription |access-date=2023-11-29 |website=The Saturday Paper |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=As Australians reject the Voice, Marcia Langton declares Reconciliation 'dead' |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/australians-say-no-to-the-voice-before-polls-close-in-the-west/yt2y7eb9s |access-date=2023-10-20 |website=SBS News |language=en |archive-date=19 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231019213828/https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/australians-say-no-to-the-voice-before-polls-close-in-the-west/yt2y7eb9s |url-status=live }}
After the referendum, in which over 64% of South Australians voted against the Voice, state Liberal leader David Speirs cast some doubt on the state based voice. South Australian One Nation MP Sarah Game announced plans to introduce a bill to repeal the First Nations Voice Act 2023.{{Cite web |title=This state had the second-highest No vote, so why is it introducing its own Voice? |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/this-state-had-the-second-highest-no-vote-so-why-is-it-introducing-its-own-voice/qxrasyk03 |access-date=2023-10-20 |website=SBS News |language=en |archive-date=19 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231019225044/https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/this-state-had-the-second-highest-no-vote-so-why-is-it-introducing-its-own-voice/qxrasyk03 |url-status=live }}
On 19 October 2023, the Queensland opposition Liberal National Party of Queensland (LNP) leader David Crisafulli announced that they would be dropping their support for a state based treaty and truth-telling. The LNP had previously supported a treaty in early 2023.{{Cite news |last1=Gillespie |first1=Eden |last2=Smee |first2=Ben |date=2023-10-18 |title=Queensland LNP abandons support for treaty with First Nations people |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/oct/19/queensland-lnp-abandons-support-for-treaty-with-first-nations-people |access-date=2023-10-20 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=20 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231020064642/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/oct/19/queensland-lnp-abandons-support-for-treaty-with-first-nations-people |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=2023-10-18 |title=Queensland Opposition Leader David Crisafulli says Path to Treaty 'will only create further division', retracts support for laws |first1=Kate |last1=McKenna |first2=Rachel |last2=Riga |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-10-19/david-crisafulli-backflips-on-path-to-treaty-support-queensland/102984166 |access-date=2023-10-20 |archive-date=20 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231020064648/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-10-19/david-crisafulli-backflips-on-path-to-treaty-support-queensland/102984166 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=October 18, 2023 |title=LNP flips on support for treaty |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/indigenous/queensland-lnp-flips-on-support-for-indigenous-treaty/news-story/74219eafa2f25e58befb099516381851 |first1=Lydia |last1=Lynch |first2=Michael |last2=McKenna |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231018094740/https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/indigenous/queensland-lnp-flips-on-support-for-indigenous-treaty/news-story/74219eafa2f25e58befb099516381851?amp&nk=91c17c2ce0acfd9b343ec54198fe27fd-1697622469 |archive-date=18 October 2023 |website=The Australian}} The Path to Treaty Act 2023 was repealed and the state's Truth-Telling and Healing Inquiry was abolished following the LNP gaining government in 2024.{{Cite web |last=Brennan |first=Dechlan |date=2024-11-28 |title=Queensland government shuts down truth-telling Inquiry in 'extraordinary act' |url=https://nit.com.au/28-11-2024/15119/queensland-government-shuts-down-truth-telling-inquiry-in-extraordinary-act |access-date= |website=National Indigenous Times}}{{Cite web |date=2024-12-04 |title=Queensland Bills a major step backwards for the rights of First Nations people |url=https://humanrights.gov.au/about/news/media-releases/queensland-bills-major-step-backwards-rights-first-nations-people |access-date= |website=Australian Human Rights Commission |language=en}}
The Victorian Liberal Party were divided in the aftermath of the referendum over whether to continue supporting the state's treaty process.{{cite web | url=https://theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/oct/21/victorian-liberals-moderate-credentials-looking-shaky-as-commitment-to-treaty-wavers | title=Victorian Liberals' moderate credentials looking shaky as commitment to treaty wavers |website=The Guardian |date= 20 Oct 2023 |first1=Benita |last1=Kolovos | access-date=22 October 2023 | archive-date=23 October 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231023035826/https://amp.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/oct/21/victorian-liberals-moderate-credentials-looking-shaky-as-commitment-to-treaty-wavers | url-status=live }} Alongside their fellow Coalition partners, the National Party of Victoria, in January 2024 both parties withdrew their support for a treaty, leaving Victoria without bi{{nbh}}partisan backing for the proposal.{{Cite news |last1=Kolovos |first1=Benita |last2=Ore |first2=Adeshola |date=2024-01-22 |title=Treaty could make people 'feel more divided', Victorian opposition leader says, as Coalition withdraws support |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/jan/22/victoria-opposition-drops-support-for-indigenous-treaty |access-date=2024-01-24 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}{{Cite news |last1=Love |first1=Simon |last2=Roulston |first2=Amy |date=2024-01-21 |title='We don't believe we should proceed with Treaty': Leader of Nationals confirms Coalition U-turn on support for Treaty in Victoria |url=https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/politics/we-dont-believe-we-should-proceed-with-treaty-leader-of-nationals-confirms-coalition-uturn-on-support-for-treaty-in-victoria/news-story/310d54e27b55a0c43fb587ebed8a7163 |work=Sky News Australia |publisher=News Corp Australia |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124140550/https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/politics/we-dont-believe-we-should-proceed-with-treaty-leader-of-nationals-confirms-coalition-uturn-on-support-for-treaty-in-victoria/news-story/310d54e27b55a0c43fb587ebed8a7163 |archive-date= Jan 24, 2024 }}
Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott said the result was a rejection of identity politics and a chance to reject or reduce Aboriginal "separatism" with the wider Australian community, such as by no longer flying Aboriginal flags equally with the national flag or by not giving an acknowledgment of country prior to speaking at an official event.{{cite web |last1=Abbott |first1=Tony |date=2023-10-20 |title=Voice defeat delivers opening salvo against identity politics |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/voice-defeat-delivers-opening-salvo-against-identity-politics/news-story/e8bbab6b2d88e5bf8745dbf4232c773b?amp&nk=774b7314400033826f07ccabec5f0a9e-1697941680 |url-access=subscription |access-date=22 October 2023 |work=The Australian}}
Speaking one year after the referendum, Megan Davis and Yes23 campaign director Dean Parkin argued that the referendum debate had been unduly captured by politicians, with Indigenous voices shut out. Davis also stated that the Albanese government and the Commonwealth has subsequently endorsed leaving Indigenous policy to the states and territories who "aren't committed".{{Cite news |last=Chambers |first=Geoff |last2=Taylor |first2=Paige |date=28 September 2024 |title=Invisible, voices unheard: Yes, PM |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/indigenous-voice-to-parliament-special-investigation-yes-campaign-leaders-felt-invisible-as-referendum-became-toxic/news-story/b7892352acbe8fb53ea532bdd4fec821 |url-access=subscription |work=The Weekend Australian |publisher=News Corp Australia |pages=1, 8–9}}{{Cite web |last=Grattan |first=Michelle |author-link=Michelle Grattan |date=2024-10-03 |title=Grattan on Friday: As the anniversary of the Voice vote nears, the high costs of Albanese’s misjudgement are clear |url=https://theconversation.com/grattan-on-friday-as-the-anniversary-of-the-voice-vote-nears-the-high-costs-of-albaneses-misjudgement-are-clear-240347 |access-date= |website=The Conversation |language=en-AU}} Key figures in the No voice campaign Jacinta Nampijinpa Price and Nyunggai Warren Mundine stated that Australians want the best for "the vulnerable and needy in our country (but) the voice failed to realise this"{{cite news |last1=Chambers |first1=Geoff |last2=Taylor |first2=Paige |title=Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, Warren Mundine hit back at Yes activists for ‘blaming others for their failures’ |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/jacinta-nampijinpa-price-warren-mundine-hit-back-at-yes-activists-for-blaming-others-for-their-failures/news-story/a897d04ff381136c08d2b5ba5033027b |url-access=subscription |work=The Australian |publisher=News Corp Australia |date=29 September 2024}} and "they didn’t want racial separation and race-based rights in the constitution and that they want all Australians to be treated equally".{{cite web |last=Mundine|first= Nyunggai Warren| title=White demographics did not drive the Voice vote |url=https://www.cis.org.au/commentary/opinion/white-demographics-did-not-drive-the-voice-vote/ |website =The Centre for Independent Studies |date=16 October 2024}}
See also
Notes
{{Notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.aec.gov.au/referendums Australian Electoral Commission 2023 referendum website]
- [https://results.aec.gov.au/29581/Website/ReferendumNationalResults-29581.htm National results (Australian Electoral Commission)]
- [https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2023B00060 Constitution Alteration (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice) Bill 2023 (Cth)]
- [https://www.aec.gov.au/referendums/pamphlet.htm Yes/No referendum pamphlet and official referendum guide]
{{Australian elections}}
Category:October 2023 in Australia
Category:Constitutional referendums in Australia