On October 14, Australia rejected a plan to offer more political rights to Indigenous people. The rejection came from a referendum, with all six states voting No.
2023 Australian Indigenous Voice referendum
- The proposed amendment was to acknowledge the First Nations people in the constitution.
- It also aimed to create a government advisory body for them.
- The referendum, known as “The Voice”, was the first in Australia in nearly 25 years.
- The “No” votes surpassed the “Yes” votes by a 60% to 40% margin.
- This was Australia’s 45th attempt to modify its constitution.
- Only eight such proposals have been approved so far.
- The issue of Indigenous recognition has been put to vote twice, with the previous occasion in 1999.
- The approval of the referendum would have led to the formation of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. This would be an official body for Indigenous people to advise on legislations.
Advocacy And Resistance: The Fight For Indigenous Rights In Australia
- Australia is home to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, representing 3.8% of the nation’s 26 million population.
- These indigenous peoples have been living in Australia for approximately 60,000 years.
- Despite their long history, they do not have a mention in the country’s constitution.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people face notable socio-economic disadvantages, making them the most disadvantaged group in Australia.
- Supporters argue that incorporating Indigenous peoples into the constitution could foster national unity and mark a new era.
- The Yes campaign believes that an Indigenous Voice could address persistent inequality experienced by these communities.
- On the other hand, the No campaign does not share this sentiment.
- The constitution does not acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the first occupants of Australia.
- It was only in 1971 that they were fully included in the population count, and to date, they do not have dedicated government seats.
- In 1962, Indigenous Australians finally received the right to vote in national elections.
- However, there have been long-standing calls for greater self-determination among these communities.
Indigenous Rights And Representation In Other Countries
- In numerous liberal democracies with colonial pasts, there are federal measures acknowledging indigenous cultures. Australia, however, lacks such provisions.
- The Sami people of northern Scandinavia have had their own parliaments in Finland, Norway, and Sweden since the 80s and 90s. Their rights are constitutionally guaranteed in these countries.
- The Treaty of Waitangi was signed in New Zealand upon colonization in 1840. By 1867, it had guaranteed parliamentary seats for the Māori people. The Waitangi Tribunal, established in 1975, ensures Māori involvement in policy-making.
- Canada recognises treaty rights and self-governance for its Indigenous peoples. A First Nations Assembly was formed in 1982 to facilitate direct conversations between community chiefs and federal lawmakers.
Uluru Statement From The Heart/The Voice
- The Uluru Statement, drafted by over 250 Indigenous leaders in 2017, is deemed as the most comprehensive call for reforms benefiting First Nations Australians.
- Indigenous Australians express a sense of “powerlessness” in addressing structural barriers affecting their welfare.
- They face challenges such as shorter life expectancy, disproportionately poor health and education outcomes, and increased incarceration rates compared to non-Indigenous Australians.
- Critics argue these issues largely stem from a failure to properly consult Indigenous people on resolutions.
- Decisions affecting Indigenous communities are often made by non-Indigenous people, unfamiliar with these communities and their inhabitants.
- Elected bodies, regulated by parliament, provide advice on tackling issues affecting Sami communities. The Voice, a concept proposed by Indigenous leaders, could serve a similar role.
- Studies reveal Indigenous Australians, on average, die eight years earlier than the broader population, suffering from diseases eradicated in many affluent nations.
- The Voice initiative was conceived to combat the growing disadvantage in Indigenous communities.
- Indigenous Australians’ life expectancy is eight years less than the general population, with higher rates of suicide and incarceration.
- These issues are most severe in remote communities, where some Aboriginal people reside to retain their connection to traditional lands.
Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Groups/First People Of Australia
- Australia is home to many unique Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups.
- Each group has its own distinct culture, language, and practices.
- These groups are the first peoples of Australia, predating colonization by over 60,000 years according to current research.
- The Torres Strait region is situated between Cape York and Papua New Guinea, comprising over two hundred islands.
- Seventeen of these islands are populated.
- There are two Torres Strait Islander communities, Bamaga and Seisia, on Australia’s northern peninsula.
- The Kaurareg Nation, an Aboriginal group, traditionally inhabits Muralag (Prince of Wales Island), Kirriri (Hammond Island), Ngurupai (Horn Island), and Waiben (Thursday Island) in the Torres Strait.
- People in the Torres Strait often group islands together when referring to different areas of the region, such as Top Western, Western Islands, Central Islands, etc.
- Aboriginal peoples originate from all parts of mainland Australia, including Tasmania and other islands.