'We never meant you harm': Australian Indigenous leaders lament referendum loss

Australians have resoundingly rejected a proposal to recognise Aboriginal people in the country’s constitution and establish a body to advise parliament on Indigenous issues.
Saturday’s voice to parliament referendum failed, with the defeat clear shortly after polls closed.
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To succeed, the yes campaign – advocating for the change – needed to secure a double majority, meaning it needed a majority of the national vote, as well as majorities in four of Australia’s six states.

The defeat will be seen by Indigenous advocates as a blow to what has been a hard-fought struggle to progress reconciliation and recognition in modern Australia, with First Nations people continuing to suffer discrimination and poorer health and economic outcomes. More than 17 million Australians were enrolled for the compulsory vote, with many expats visiting embassies around the world in the weeks leading up to Saturday’s poll
Australia rejects proposal to recognise Indigenous people in constitution.

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