A vote against a failed status quo

Australians have rejected division, not Indigenous peoples.

On Oct. 14, Australians said “No.” In a vote on whether to amend our Constitution to enshrine an “Indigenous Voice to Parliament,” the majority of voters and every state resoundingly rejected the proposal. In a divisive and, at times, vitriolic campaign, Australia had to face a difficult issue, and that is how to help our disadvantaged indigenous peoples.

The result of the referendum shows one thing clearly—Australians are not interested in the status quo. That appears to belie the reality of a “No” vote, which the latest count has at over 60 percent. However, the truth is that what the proposed amendment offered was more of the same.