The Voice referendum: Australia votes no

Saturday, 14 October 2023 19:50

By Monique Welhan

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. PIC: 9NEWS

Australia has voted no to The Voice, the proposal defeated in Saturday's referendum.

All States and Territories except the ACT voted against enshrining an Indigenous Voice to Parliament in the constitution.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese gave an emotional speech following the result.

“My fellow Australians, at the outset, I want to say that while tonight’s result is not one that I had hoped for, I absolutely respect the decision of the Australian people,’’ he said.

"It will not divide us.

“We are not yes voters or no voters. We are all Australian. We must take our country beyond this debate, without forgetting while we had it in the first place.”

Mr Albanese said his government will continue to seek better outcomes for Indigenous Australians.

Together we must take our country beyond this debate – without forgetting why we had it in the first place. Because a great nation like ours can and must do better for the First Australians.

Our government will continue to listen to people and to communities. pic.twitter.com/3IMTkkTlG1
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) October 14, 2023

Tonight, the nation has spoken. And it is our job as leaders to listen.

I know it has been a challenging campaign for many Indigenous Western Australians.

But tomorrow, we move forward.
— Roger Cook (@RogerCookMLA) October 14, 2023

More from Local News

Police issue 31,000 driving infringements in first month of new AI cameras

More than 31,000 infringements have been issued from the first month of WA's new AI fixed and trailer-mounted safety cameras.
Works underway on Rockingham and Safety Bay High School redevelopments

Construction is now underway on multimillion dollar redevelopments at Rockingham Senior High School, Rockingham Education Support Centre, and Safety Bay Senior High School.
New measles exposure sites revealed in Bunbury

New measles exposure sites in the Bunbury area have been revealed.
Dawesville man charged after allegedly leaving his elderly Great Dane to suffer painful conditions

A 43-year-old Dawesville man is due to front the Mandurah Magistrates Court next month after allegedly allowing his elderly Great Dane to suffer a range of painful medical conditions without treatment.
Good Samaritan sought by police after helping teen during robbery in Baldivis

Rockingham Detectives are trying to find a good Samaritan who intervened during a robbery in Baldivis.
Under-16s social media ban now in force

Australian children under the age of 16 are now locked out of their social media accounts, as a world-first ban came into effect overnight.
Desperate search continues for missing Bunbury FIFO worker

Serious welfare concerns are held for a missing Bunbury FIFO worker who has not been seen in over four days.
Passengers now able to use credit, debit cards to tag on and off WA's public transport

WA public transport passengers are now able to tag on and off with their credit or debit cards, along with digital wallets on their mobile phones and smart watches instead of using a SmartRider.
New floating jetty speeds up emergency response times for Marine Rescue Mandurah

Marine Rescue Mandurah volunteers are heading into the busy summer boating season with a major upgrade to their operations with the installation of a new purpose-built floating jetty.