Indigenous Proponents of ‘Yes’ Campaign Call for Week of Silence Following Defeat of Australian Labor’s ’Voice’

Some Indigenous YES leaders have been quick to lay blame on the NO campaign, saying it’s not time for reflection on why Labor’s Voice proposal failed.

A woman reacts during a speech by Campaign Director of Yes 23 Dean Parkin at the Inner West for 'Yes2023' official referendum function at Wests Ashfield Leagues Club in Sydney, Australia, on Oct. 14, 2023. Jenny Evans/Getty Images

Following the defeat of The Voice referendum, Indigenous leaders who supported Labor’s proposal have called for a “week of silence,” saying it was not the time to reflect on why the proposal failed.

The New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council indicated it believes that racism and prejudice played a role in the defeat of the referendum.