Australians vote No in historic referendum
Australia has decisively rejected a landmark referendum to recognise Indigenous people in its constitution.
The proposal – known as the Voice – also sought to establish a First Nations body to advise the government on issues affecting their communities.
‘No’ campaigners labelled the vote as divisive, while ‘Yes’ advocates framed it as a historic chance for change.
The result marks the end of a bitter months-long debate that some fear could leave permanent scars.
Reports of racist abuse towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have skyrocketed throughout the campaign, according to mental health providers.
And the prevalence of mis-and-disinformation has prompted commentary over whether Australia could be entering a “post-truth” political era.Nearly 18 million people enrolled to vote – of those more than six million voted early, and many were voting in a referendum for the very first time.
The ‘No’ result was declared less than an hour and a half after polls had closed in Australia’s east coast, as counting continued at polling sites across the country. The final results showed a ‘No’ in every state, and in the popular vote.
(BBC)
