The latest polls for Australia’s groundbreaking referendum about whether to change the constitution to recognize the first peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice this year aren’t looking too good for the Yes campaign.
The Voice would be an independent and permanent advisory body giving advice to the Australian parliament and government on matters that affect the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Sydney’s Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council chief executive Nathan Moran says with the polls below 50 per cent in favor, it was below the required level to pass it as legislation.
With Australian history steeped in the exclusion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, Moran says one factor contributing to the No side having more support is to do with the early days of the notorious “whites only” policy, known then as the Immigration Restriction Act in 1901, and carrying a racist ideal that is still being seen today.
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