On October 14, Australia will hold a historic referendum on Indigenous rights, the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Wednesday, laying the stage for a pivotal moment in the country’s relationship with its Aboriginal minority.
“On that day, every Australian will have a once-in-a-generation chance to bring our country together, and you change it for the better,” Albanese said as he announced the date for the binding vote.
“October 14 is our time. It’s our chance. It’s a moment calling out to the best of our Australian character.”
If passed, Indigenous Australians whose ancestors have lived on the continent for at least 60,000 years would be recognised in the constitution for the first time.
They would also gain a constitutionally enshrined right to be consulted on laws that impact their communities, the so-called “Voice to Parliament”.
With the “yes” campaign trailing in the polls, there are fears that a failed referendum could damage inter-race relations, tarnish Australia’s global reputation and squander a once-in-a-generation chance to reduce pervasive inequality.
“Voting no leads nowhere, it means nothing changes. Voting no closes the door on this opportunity to move forward,” Albanese said, while urging the country to “rise to the moment”.
“Don’t close the door on the next generation of Indigenous Australians.”
According to the government, the oldest continuously existing culture in the world is carried by Aboriginal Australians.
But even more than 200 years after the first British settlers anchored in Sydney Harbour, they continue to have a significantly higher risk of being imprisoned, dying young, and living in poverty.
