By Denis Bright
Australian voters have rejected a great opportunity to enshrine commitment to an advisory voice on Indigenous people in the Australian constitution. For many older and disadvantaged Australians, the proposed constitutional changes were perceived to be threatening changes.
Racial and social divisions did not commence with preparations for the Voice referendum.
As a royal navy navigator and later buccaneer, William Dampier (1651-1715) made three voyages to WA and offered this interpretation of our Indigenous people after his second voyage in 1697 with his infamous throw-away line:
“The inhabitants of this country are the miserabilist people in the world.”
Racial divisions were embedded in Captain Cook’s landfalls in Eastern Australia in 1770 and even his earlier visits to Tahiti and New Zealand. Some Indigenous people were killed by the crew in a reflexive action against the local population.
The Endeavour struck a reef near Cooktown in North Queensland. The Endeavour was beached for repairs. Here the Guugu Yimithirr people lead by Coomen assisted crew members who were ill or disoriented. The crew were offered food and water. However, misunderstandings did occur in the Endeavour River encounter. At least one Indigenous person was killed on 17 June 1770 by a member of the Endeavour’s crew and perhaps others injured in the unequal skirmish.
Despite the assistance offered at Cooktown to the crew of the Endeavour, Captain Cook had orders from the British Crown to take possession of lands deemed to be terra nullius or nobody’s land.
The momentum of the successive 1967 referendum continued in high court decisions from Mabo v Queensland in 1992 (No1 and 2), and Wik Peoples v Queensland in 1996. Favourable rulings continued in 2002 with Yorta Nation v Victoria (2002) over land and water rights in the Goulburn and Murray River Districts which were upheld by the High Court.
Throughout the campaign, the mainstream media largely endorsed this claim of the social and racial divisiveness over acceptance of the Voice proposal. The outcomes of the No campaign are now history.
A Legitimate Positive Request Rejected
The Guardian (15 October 2023) has detailed results of the Voice Referendum by states, territories and even electorates. There were several electorates with Yes Votes below 20 per cent including the electorates of Maranoa (15.9 per cent) and Flynn (16.4 per cent). In juxtaposition, over thirty seats supported the Yes case with results of strong support for the Yes Case in Melbourne (78.1 per cent) and Grayndler (74.5 per cent).
The results of the Voice Referendum were close to the predictions of the best opinion polls as summarized by ABC News.
In support of the commitment by Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles to moving forward after a day of infamy for indigenous reconciliation, our political future needs responsible risk-taking to address long-standing divisions particularly in regional and outer suburban areas across Australia.
Lack of commitment to Indigenous reconciliation is embedded in blind spots about other social, economic and cultural tensions. The Brisbane River forms a divide between the more affluent electorate of Ryan and some of the more challenged precincts in the federal electorate of Blair between Moggill and Riverview.
This divide was covered in two of my previous articles for AIM Network in 2017 (here and here).
Community leaders have been reluctant to foster better public transport links across the social divide between the more adjacent growth areas on the fringes of Brisbane in the Springfield District and the Ripley Valley and the Ipswich CBD. Similar public transport black-spots exist between Moggill and the northside fringes of Ipswich at Karana Downs (Brisbane), Mt. Crosby, Kholo and Karalee (Ipswich).
Historically, Labor leaders from the Ipswich District were adept at responding to the needs of constituents. Even prior to 1900, a Labor member from the Rosewood Coalfields was elected to state parliament. It was more difficult to gain a federal representative because the federal electorate of Moreton extended into rural areas. When federal Labor member, James Wilkinson was defeated in 1906, it took 55 years for veteran Labor leader Bill Hayden to represent Ipswich from 1961. He defeated a popular local LNP minister in the Menzies Government during an unexpected short-term recession associated with the tightening of monetary policy.
Despite the controversies like Labor’s opposition to the war in Vietnam, Bill Hayden’s staff excelled in responding to the concerns within his electorate on mainstream local issues. His vote increased at every election until 1969. There was a close result in 1975 in Oxley after the dismissal of Gough Whitlam but there were strong swings back to Labor as early as 1977.
As in other Labor heartland electorates across Australia, support for the Labor Party was insufficient to halt the No campaign with its emphasis on fears of an advisory Voice Council to express the concerns of Indigenous communities to federal governments of differing persuasions.
There is a significant dichotomy in the results of the Voice referendum between Ryan in Brisbane and Blair. On a divisional basis, there was a No vote of 47.3 per cent in Ryan. In Blair the No vote was 69.8 per cent. The Yes vote achieved good results even in comfortable outer-suburban polling booths in Ryan despite the mortgage stresses facing new home-owners.
The Yes vote was strong in in the electorate of Ryan although some mortgage stress was possibly still evident in the results from Brookfield (47.8 per cent) and Moggill (48.3 per cent).
Across the federal electoral divide Blair, the Yes vote struggled to exceed 30 per cent at many polling booths. Weak support for the Yes case brought results extended was evident in Riverview (27.6 per cent), Karalee (30.6 per cent) and Tivoli (29.6 per cent) which can be located on the map provided. As expected, the Yes vote dipped in rural and semi-rural areas with a No vote of 85.4 per cent at Tarampa and 78.7 per cent at Walloon, 77.3 per cent in Rosewood township and 80.7 per cent at Grandchester.
The Australian constitution is indeed difficult to change. Change is virtually impossible without bipartisan support. The Republic Referendum on 6 November 1999 was not carried in any of the states but succeeded in the ACT with a Yes vote of 63.3 per cent in juxtaposition with a No Vote of 62.6 per cent in Queensland at that time.
Only eight of the forty-five referenda options since federation have been carried.
Even formation of the Commonwealth of Australia itself prior to 1900 proved to be politically divisive.
The federation referendum question had to be put to the all-male NSW electorate on two occasions. WA was a late starter in the constitutional stakes. This colony of the British Empire was omitted from the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900 as carried by both houses of the British parliament.
Cheers to the remote Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander communities in electorates like Kennedy and Leichhardt in Queensland who put their faith in the Yes case despite opposition from local LNP and conservative independent members.
In the post-Voice era, neoconservative representatives will find it difficult to avoid acting on local concerns about the need for diversity of employment that is compatible with acute local concerns.
There are core Labor values which are compatible with a contribution to Northern Development and Indigenous reconciliation through water conservation schemes, community development initiatives, infrastructure investment and sustainable programmes to diversify rural and remote economies.
Even at the best of times, tourism services into exotic historical, cultural and scenic spots in the Queensland outback during the cooler months were underdeveloped. Opportunities existed for greater Indigenous involvement in tourism at places like Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park.
Although the Waanyi people of this national park area received their native title claim in 2010, the proprietor of Adel’s Grove relied largely on interstate grey nomads to operate its accommodation and restaurant facilities for guests the last time I visited this site.
More than a century ago, Albert de Lestang (1854-1959) had a much deeper commitment to the local savanna ecosystem. He experimented with the introduction of exotic and native plants at Adel’s Grove and operated a store for passing tourists. Fire destroyed Albert’s dwellings in the 1950s. Fire also destroyed the hub of the accommodation at Adel’s Grove out quite recently. The need for greater Indigenous involvement in local tourism is essential.
With the support of the Queensland government, the Waanyi people negotiated an agreement with the zinc mining operations in this locality which continued until operations ceased temporarily in 2015. A history of the progressive association between mining and the Waanyi people is available online. The monograph was developed by the Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining at UQ.
Reaching across the political aisle at state and federal levels can assist in overcoming the disappointments of the Voice Referendum results.
There are places in North West Queensland which could enthuse tourists during the winter months. The outreach of current tourism access only taps the surface of the vast array of exotic places which dot North West Queensland. Similar resources exist in the Cairns Hinterland and on Cape York from the days when mining activity moved into these remote frontiers even prior to the turn of the last century.
The (locally) famous mine tram tunnel at Hightville. This tunnel was built in 1914 for the tram line that carted copper ore from the Wee Macgregor mine down the ridge to the Ballara siding, for rail transport to Townsville via Cloncurry. The Wee Macgregor mine is on the other side of the tunnel from where this photograph was taken. I would not venture through the tunnel if you are afraid of bats, there is quite a colony roosting in there. May 2007.
Many potential historic relics spots are on private grazing properties and operated in the federation era (1901-14) prior to the opening of Mt. Isa Mines.
Readers can continue their activism with a new focus after the disturbing results of the Voice referendum. History may soon exonerate Anthony Albanese for his commitment to failed constitutional change. Perhaps this result can be a springboard for pragmatic action to address the wider economic, social and cultural divides in Australia. There will be little grassroots resistance to these commitments which is what the electorate expects from a Labor government.
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Denis Bright (pictured) is a financial member of the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA). Denis is committed to consensus-building in these difficult times. Your feedback from readers advances the cause of citizens’ journalism. Full names are not required when making comments. However, a valid email must be submitted if you decide to hit the Replies Button.
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What a terrible slogan: No to Divisions. Negativity gone astray. Even high court judges have differing legal opinions. Must everyone think along the same lines?
Maybe, just maybe; someone else has something else to say: I don’t believe that any intelligent NO voter wanted to crush the Indigenous population! I do believe that there were some NO voters who voted with integrity! Even as an intelligent Labor supporter, I never trusted Albo’s Clever Distraction! To me, he was always trying to distract our attention away from his dreadful Climate Change failed objectives!
Albo, you were not elected to resolve Indigenous Issues: We voted you in TO SOLVE THE CLIMATE CHANGE CRISIS!!!!
Let’s not forget the unprotected civilians living in Gaza City.
Of course, the Prime Minister should have canned the Voice proposal when it was not receiving bipartisan support. Defeat of the Voice proposal is no moral victory. Just imagine the pressures on Peter Dutton if he could have been blamed for canning the referendum. History in hindsight is a great teacher but risks must be taken on behalf of just causes.
A few pockets of Yes results in the electorate of Page in Clunes and parts of Lismore.
Thanks to the the constituents who delivered Yes support against old style conservatives
Denis, Thanks for an interesting commentary about the voice referendum, it provided an interesting insight on the demographics.
Peter Pustular-Pox remains such a blot on our reputation and chance of progress, I’ll join others, anyone, to denounce, condemn, insult, describe and ridicule this skinful of putrid excremental filth posing as a public figure of some weight. What a slaggy slime posing as a front for right wing assertiveness.., Peter Duckwit-Futton remains the lowest point of public political life we have dredged yet, lower than a nematode’s nuts and a nightmare embarrassment to our nation. This shit must be wiped, hosed, disinfected and treated, for it leads to huge error, as in the electorate of Moron’s Knownought, where Littletobeproudof lives.
Uhm ….. would somebody be so kind as to provide any historical reference(s) showing that Australia was declared ”terra nullius” before about1820. I have seen one 1816 reference but no others until about 1870 in a western Queensland matter about livestock.
.
Certainly, Phillip’s Orders were to trade with any Aboriginals he encountered, but naturally there were instances of Aboriginals being injured or killed by the English stupidity.
No joy in support for the Voice here on the Gold Coast and adjacent parts of Outer Brisbane and the Hinterland. The brave voters in hospital in the Forde electorate closer to Brisbane did record a majority in favour of the Voice. I do hope that their constitutional insights spread beyond the hospital wards.
It would be a different political ball game if political insiders had cancelled the referendum when Peter Dutton failed to offer bipartisan support: The electorate would have been more in revolt against Peter Dutton and craving for change in direction on indigenous reconciliation.
Lets face it, the take away message is the greater part of the population is either stupid, uninformed, easily led or simply racist. The no campaign deliberately chose to spend little time discussing the 3 sub-clauses honestly, rather conflating the issue with nonsense claims, e.g. “You will lose your backyard”, “lack of detail”, “access to the RBA” etc., that anybody with an IQ should have filtered out.
Abbott, Turnbull, Morrison and Albanese all promised to address recognition in the Constitution but only Albanese kept his word yet is being criticised.
The result was that 3 out of 5 voted No and 2 out of 5 voted Yes but if only one out of those 5 changed their mind the result would have been far different.
However instead of the reported “landslide defeat” for Yes the media would likely have labelled the alternative it as “a close result”.
Meanwhile the influence of the mining industry via the CIS, the IPA and the Atlas Network (to name just a few) has revealed who really has a Voice to Parliament and how loud it is.
Some prominent indigenous leaders supporting the No Case were really on a united front with Peter Dutton. The added funding from Australia’s rich and famous families all helped to derail the very favourable start of the Voice campaign. Disappointed Yes campaigners should urge the full release of the sources of funding for the No campaign.
There is a lot of childish glee on SKY, not so much that the aspirations of first nations people were rejected but because they see this as a defeat for Labor and Albanese and even call for the PM’s resignation.
For the Conservative Right their NO case was always about politics.
Interesting insights in response to the outcome of the Voice referendum.
Leila says : Of course, the Prime Minister should have canned the Voice proposal when it was not receiving bipartisan support.
James Dean says : It would be a different political ball game if political insiders had cancelled the referendum when Peter Dutton failed to offer bipartisan support
One observation : this being the case, is there any point in having an elected government or should we just defer to Peter Dutton on all matters of national importance ?
The no took all the running the yes stood still.
Ambling Albo kept his ‘it is right’ and ‘from the heart’ pleadings against political bluffing thrown as fact by dutton, littleproud plus mundine and petty price whose motives were opposite with the former saying too much power and the latter saying no power but no labor exposed them,
The weakest link was and is torpid Tanya who let her sunrise LIVE spots wither with no show of strength or commitment when attacked by an idiot conservative Barr.
A simple ask whether barr thinks regional Aboriginal people should have input to the laws politicians make just for Aboriginal people alone would have been on the ABC, today shows and maybe sky, in seconds
Indeed yesterday barr and littletobeproudof slapped her about $400m. Did she counter with
‘what happened to the $440 to a company of 4 that the PM’s wife worked for. That was $110m each and the $400m to a company with an office in a Kangaroo Island beach shack??
It was so weak that PM dutton is a distinct possibility.
Did anyone see the Kiwi result???
Sadly this was another intelligence test,that the majority of Australia failed badly.
The whole NO side was complete LIES,promoted by most of the MSM. Along with the illogical weak ABC and SBS with their false balance crap.
Divisive is NOT an argument. It is an empty slogan. People are allowed to have different views (A shame a majority was not informed views.),and have them at every election.
Most people are too ignorant, gullible, and straight up stupid. Plus the racists that were always voting no.
Ultimately this is a backwards country full of uneducated bogan idiots.
Australia the ignorant country,and we should be condemned by the rest of the world.
“Most people are too ignorant, gullible, and straight up stupid”
“Ultimately this is a backwards country full of uneducated bogan idiots.
Australia the ignorant country,and we should be condemned by the rest of the world.”
Which fence, where. Do you stand, straddle or lay down on that or this side.
But me, nah mate, I am on the Correct Lovely Side.
Mark and Margaret: But everyone is allowed to have an opinion -remember? Wayne has his opinion and as we know, all opinions are valid. Correct? 🙂
That anyone believed the increasingly absurd lies spouted by the NO campaign confirms one thing: Aussies are not very bright.
Here I was, worrying about what the insane mainstream media has achieved.
But that is nothing. Their negativity is the problem for them. Their big problem is the climate change they deny.
Old Rupie might not get to see the results of climate change. Even now the poor clowns do not even see what is already happening.
They can be proud as punch that they can claim 62% of our population told our First Nation people they don’t care about them, although some people care very deeply
Goodbye, hopeless mainstream media twits. For days of reckoning are coming. You can be sure of it.
Rain and floods,melting ice, rising seas, mountains crumbling, deserts swirling, crops gone.
And some of us will remember the good old days when we told the ancient people to piss off.
Shame. Shame.
Denis, can you tell readers about planning structures before the network of labor state governments here face challenges as in NZ.
the narrative in the media is that referendums are won when there is bipartisan support. Then they go on to emplore both sides to work together. How alice in wonderland is that?
Dutton was never going to say yes. It could have been two flies on a wall and he still would have said no. Dutton NEVER intended to say anything that was favorable to Labor, no matter how good or perfect the intentions were. If labor had the keys to heaven, dutton would have said no, its not the right way. NBN, Refugees, Solar power, referendums…..they have runs on the board.
The repercussions could begin with removing torpid tanya from sunrise and getting a pollie who can make us laugh at silly barr and outrageous littletobeproud.
She has become a liabilty and needs to be put into defence industry with a swap with conroy.
Thanks Burleigh Waters. I am working on a sequel to the Voice article which addresses some of the issues raised in your question.
At a grassroots level, Australia is a very friendly and hospitable society, These cherished values cannot be destroyed by political insiders on both sides of politics with a ruthless commitment to neoliberalism and support for military industrial corporations.
Just in this morning’s ABC News Feed comes details of a vacant 67 ha golf club site in the midst of a chronic housing shortage on the Gold Coast City Precincts. Here publicity hungry PR departments overlook such anomalies. Voters on the Coast keep supporting neoliberal candidates in almost all council wards and electorates.
Where are the progressive political options in such a large city for voters at the forthcoming local and state elections in 2024?
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-10-19/housing-crisis-greenfield-land-shortage-gold-coast-golf-course/102937570
Malcolm Turnbull, a strong supporter of the Yes vote, makes a good point in his opinion piece in the Guardian:
“The voice referendum’s no vote has left millions of Australians sad, drained and disappointed. I know the feeling. But I cannot imagine how thousands of Indigenous Australians must feel, especially when the most effective advocates of the no case were themselves Indigenous.”
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/oct/22/australias-constitutional-history-told-us-the-voice-referendum-was-unwinnable-sadly-that-was-right-malcolm-turnbull
Malcolm Turnbull, forever the hypocrite:
Turnbull government says no to Indigenous ‘Voice to Parliament’
https://theconversation.com/turnbull-government-says-no-to-indigenous-voice-to-parliament-86421
From the Guardian article: “Especially for those like me [Turnbull] of an essentially republican, egalitarian mindset, having any institution in the constitution the qualification for which was other than Australian citizenship was hard to accept.”
What happened to ATSIC, why was it disbanded, image if it had been given Constitutional status?
How would govt get rid of it other than through another referendum?
From ABC News 06 Jan 2010: ‘Learning from ATSIC’
“ATSIC’s functions were to advise Governments at all levels; provide peak national and international advocacy for Australian Indigenous affairs, and deliver and monitor Indigenous programs and services. . . If we are truly committed to the notion of self-determination, we cannot begin to pursue it without instruments of governance. . . it was the Labor party’s opposition to ATSIC that catalysed the Coalition Government’s legislation to remove the peak Indigenous body in 2004. The legislation was swiftly passed without consultation with Indigenous peoples.”
Labor and Liberals were on the same page then, now Labor is pretending to listen, but are they really?
Albanese is someone’s puppet, he cannot mention the word Treaty since the Referendum, he cannot show sympathy to Palestinians nor condemn overreach by Israel. Who is he serving?
Labor needs to re-define its radicalism. Political insiders and their lobbying networks need former heartland supporters to be onside. Politics is not just about promoting lively alternative personalities. People need real support in difficult times. The consequences of a primary vote of 32 percent in Queensland improve the prospects of another Campbell Newman coming to power next year.