Indigenous groups say referendum loss proves Australia a ‘country that does not know itself’

Central Land Council and Antar issues statements after week of silence, with latter claiming voice defeat an ‘unparalleled act of racism by white Australia’

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Indigenous groups have broken a week of silence following the defeat of the voice referendum to express sadness and disappointment, with some describing the no result as “an unparalleled act of racism by white Australia”.

Australians overwhelmingly rejected the proposed Indigenous voice to parliament on 14 October with the highest yes vote recorded in the ACT at 61% followed by Victoria at 45%. Queensland had the lowest yes vote at 31%.