“Yes” campaigners vow to continue fighting for reconciliation

SUPPORTERS of a First Nations Voice to Parliament have been delivered a resounding defeat over the weekend with the majority of Australians voting against the enshrinement of an advisory body into the constitution.

In a statement, endorsed by the Uluru Dialogue – the group behind the Uluru Statement from the Heart – First Nations leaders said the loss was a “bitter irony” and called for a week of silence to grieve the referendum’s outcome.

“Now is not the time to dissect the reasons for this tragic outcome. This will be done in the weeks, years and decades to come.

“Now is the time for silence, to mourn and deeply consider the consequences of this outcome.”

The Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative have also chosen to observe this week of silence.

Across regional Victoria, Corangamite delivered the highest Yes vote, with 48 per cent voting in favour of the referendum.

Meanwhile the Yes votes in the electorates of Wannon, which includes Anglesea, Apollo Bay and Lorne, and Corio were 31 per cent and 45 per cent, respectively.

Elaine Carbines, leader of the Geelong for Yes campaign in the suburbs of Belmont, Highton and Wandana Heights, said she was disappointed in the outcome.

“I had campaigned locally with over 100 volunteers… and we were hoping to see it supported across the nation and unfortunately that’s not the case,” she said.

“Even though the national vote was negative, I think our small local campaign has had an impact because we see every one of the local polling booths across Belmont, Highton and Wandana Heights returned a positive Yes vote.”

Following the referendum, Ms Carbines attended a community gathering at the Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative to reflect on the result.

“Our local Traditional Owners and First Nations people asked us, as a community, to continue to walk with them,” Ms Carbines said.

“I’m hoping our community, who has supported the voice locally in our suburbs, [will] continue to do that.”

Corangamite Labor federal member, Libby Coker, said she was proud that Corangamite had returned one of the highest Yes results of any regional area in the country.

“Although this is not the result we hoped for, it is the will of the people and, as one of the strongest democracies in the world, we respect the outcome,” she said.

“Our government remains fully committed to closing the gap and getting better outcomes for our First Nations people.”

“Through this process, I’m proud that our community has built stronger ties with the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners, Wathaurong Co-operative and the Eastern Maar. We will continue to walk together on the path towards reconciliation.”