Some Indigenous YES leaders have responded to the defeat of the Voice referendum by calling for a “week of silence,” refusing to reflect on the reasons behind the failure. The New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council suggested that racism and prejudice contributed to the defeat and called for flags to be flown at half-mast to mourn the result. They criticized those who voted against Labor’s proposal, stating that the referendum was an opportunity for newcomers to show grace and gratitude for the dispossession suffered by Indigenous people.
Many advocates of the “Yes” campaign, including Thomas Mayo and Marcia Langton, expressed disappointment in the results and blamed the “No” campaign’s alleged lies for the lack of support. Linda Burney, Minister for Indigenous Australians, assured the Indigenous community that reconciliation work would continue. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese accepted the defeat and acknowledged the Coalition’s “No” stance as a significant factor in the outcome. He emphasized the importance of unity and cooperation to address indigenous disadvantage.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton acknowledged the disappointment felt by many Australians but called for unity and disagreed with the idea of dividing Australians based on heritage or arrival time. He pledged to address Indigenous disadvantage through alternative means, such as implementing a royal commission into child sexual abuse in Indigenous communities and auditing spending on Indigenous programs. Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, a face of the “No” campaign, emphasized the need for better support for marginalized Australians.
The Australian Greens blamed the misinformation from the Coalition’s “No” campaign for the defeat and called for a $250 million Truth and Justice Commission to investigate past wrongdoings and facilitate healing. They argued that truth-telling was essential for lasting justice and would pave the way for treaties or agreements between First Nations and Australian governments. Despite the referendum’s failure, the Greens reaffirmed their commitment to advancing First Nations Justice and urged for immediate action through the establishment of a national Truth and Justice Commission.