A majority of Indigenous Australians do not support the referendum
Since the federal parliament passed a referendum to include the “Indigenous Voice” in the constitution in July, support for this proposal among Australians has significantly dwindled. Today, the voices against it have outnumbered the supporters. The latest polls have found that among Indigenous Australians, there are more opponents than supporters.
Supporters believe this is because the opposing side has spread a plethora of false information in society. This includes claims that if the referendum passes, Indigenous people would easily influence government decisions and demand more financial or benefit compensation. Supporters firmly believe that this won’t happen and see it as fear-mongering by the opposition. The proponents continue to have the support of numerous organizations, businesses, and prominent figures, stating that the referendum is a way for Australians to reconcile with the colonial era.
However, when even more than half of Indigenous people oppose it, the arguments put forth by the supporters clearly do not hold water.
Initially, supporters emphasized that the constitutional change merely added a consultation mechanism and wouldn’t affect government governance. However, many Indigenous people who oppose it have indicated that their demands go far beyond this. They seek a treaty that would give them more significant say in their way of life. Consequently, the referendum has gradually lost the support of Indigenous Australians. It’s safe to say that the government’s proposed changes do not meet Indigenous demands, which has become apparent to more Australians, making the referendum appear immature and without full Indigenous support.
It seems unlikely that the referendum will garner majority support from Australians and half of the states unless there are more compelling arguments presented in the next two to three weeks to change Australians’ minds. The failure of this constitutional referendum is highly probable.
Empathy for Indigenous people does not necessarily require a constitutional change
Australian society generally agrees that Indigenous people should have more say in their development and affairs. However, this does not equate to society being willing to grant Indigenous people the right to self-determination regarding their affairs. As a nation, most believe that there should be rules governing matters related to Indigenous self-determination. The government thus emphasizes that the power of the “Indigenous Voice” in the constitution does not supersede parliament. However, it is unclear how Indigenous interests will be protected if parliament rejects the recommendations of the “Indigenous Voice,” which I believe is a primary reason for the failure of this referendum.
Listening does not mean agreeing, a principle any parent understands. We are willing to listen to our children’s opinions but understand that decisions cannot be solely determined by minors. Therefore, writing the “Indigenous Voice” into the constitution without legal powers, in the eyes of many Australians, raises questions about why the constitution should be changed at all. The constitution is a document that safeguards the rights of all citizens, so the establishment of the “Indigenous Voice” does not fit within its scope, and this virtually guarantees its failure.
After public discussion, many Indigenous people have presented demands that go far beyond the establishment of this consultation mechanism. They seek more concrete changes and support in their lives. While it is important to listen to Indigenous voices, real change in their lives is more practical. I believe this is what people have discovered in the current proposal.
Views of Multicultural Communities
Some polls show that the older people are, the less likely they are to support the referendum. Conversely, among young people, there is more support for the proposal, which is understandable. Older individuals may believe that amending the constitution could bring more problems, making them hesitant to change. Younger people are more likely to believe that constitutional change will not significantly impact government governance but could improve the lives of Indigenous people.
Furthermore, reports suggest that the results of this referendum will be determined by the next generation of multicultural communities. The next generation of multicultural communities often lacks a deep understanding of Australian history, so they may not have a clear stance on whether to support it. Many believe that gaining the support of this group will have a more significant impact on the outcome.
However, I believe the views of immigrants aged 30 to 60 or 70 will be the most decisive. This group is substantial, accounting for about one-fifth of Australian society. Most of them are newcomers, while some have lived in Australia for thirty to forty years but have had limited contact with Indigenous people and little understanding of the injustices they have faced. It is challenging to predict whether they will agree to amend the constitution to give more recognition to Indigenous people.
However, the government’s promotion and educational efforts among multicultural communities have been insufficient. It’s unrealistic to assume that they will understand and engage in discussions about the issue, just like mainstream Australians. This is in stark contrast to the response during the previous referendum on same-sex marriage.
Conclusion
Many Australian policies are introduced for public discussion, targeting either mainstream society or the opposition, without considering the unique perspectives and participation of newcomers and multicultural Australians. This is largely due to the lack of representation of new immigrants or multicultural Australians in various levels of Australian parliament. It can be said that policymakers have failed to recognize the importance of providing more education, explanation, and promotion to newcomers to easily mobilize them to find the best solutions for Australian development.
Merely presenting an agenda under the assumption that everyone will be interested is a naïve notion.
Mr. Raymond Chow