The Native Iowan

Today is Tuesday, 17th of October. On the 14th a referendum was held here in Aus. A referendum to “enshrine” an Aboriginal Voice in Parliament.

What is a referendum?

In Australia, referendums are public votes held on important issues where the electorate may approve or reject a certain proposal. The term is commonly used in reference to a constitutional referendum which is legally required to make a change to the Constitution of Australia. (Wikipedia)

How many referendums have Australia had?

A total of 45 referendums have been held. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Referendums_in_Australia

What was the 2023 referendum about?

A single question: “A Proposed Law: to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. Do you approve this proposed alteration?”

Simple enough.

What was the result?

60% said NO. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Results_of_the_2023_Australian_Indigenous_Voice_referendum

I shall not carry on about how or why the vote ended up as it did. I shall, though, discuss my thoughts and emotions…

Since the beginning of the “Voice” initiative, the facts per who, what, how, where, when, how much have been sparse to nonexistent.

Though, initially, seen as a fine and noble idea; constitutional recognition of the aboriginal peoples, no one was able to explain the details. The lack of detail is what made the idea questionable.

As well, there was a fair bit of mud-slinging. By both sides. By activist-minded supporters who said to vote against was to prove you were racist. To vote against was to prove you were stupid… to vote in favour was to prove you were racist. To vote in favour was to prove you were stupid.

The mud slinging continues.

What did the referendum cost?

Looks like the federal government spent 400mil on this. https://www.news.com.au/finance/economy/australian-economy/labor-grilled-over-400-million-divisive-debacle/news-story/301f8b68a7de51022d3ee2cd91e5e74a#

And, as we in Aus reject the referendum, Zion is on fire.

Tense times, tense times.

more later