Earlier this month Australians voted in a referendum on whether to establish an Indigenous advisory panel. The proposed advocacy committee would have provided advice to Parliament on matters that pertained to Australia’s Indigenous people. Ultimately, the referendum was soundly defeated with six out of ten voters not supporting the measure. Australia has compulsory voting and more than 17 million people participated. Those who supported creating the board point out inequities Indigenous Australians face compared to non-Indigenous Australians on issues ranging from health to education.

What happened in Australia?

Instructors: click the link below to download this week’s lecture for use in your classroom. The deck contains a writing prompt and a debate question as well as other assessment questions.

Download: CQP_Lecture_Spark_PPT_Australians Reject Creating an Indigenous Advisory Panel

Videos

News Articles

Hurt ripples in wake of Indigenous Voice vote

BBC NEWS

October 15, 2023

Hurt ripples in wake of Indigenous Voice vote – BBC News

Australia votes in referendum on giving voice to nation’s Indigenous people

ALJAZEERA

October 14, 2023

Australia votes in referendum on giving voice to nation’s Indigenous people | Indigenous Rights News | Al Jazeera

Australia rejects proposal to recognize Aboriginal people in constitution

THE GUARDIAN

October 14, 2023

Australia rejects proposal to recognise Aboriginal people in constitution | Australia news | The Guardian

Australia votes against creating an Indigenous panel to advise Parliament

NPR

October 14, 2023

Australia votes against creating an Indigenous committee to advise Parliament : NPR

Australia’s ‘no’ vote a slap in the face for its indigenous people

SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST

October 19, 2023

Opinion: Australia’s ‘no’ vote a slap in the face for its indigenous people | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

Will Australia’s global reputation ‘take a hit’ due to the Voice referendum result?

SBS

October 23, 2023

Will Australia’s global reputation ‘take a hit’ due to the Voice referendum result? | SBS English

Australians vote to reject constitutional ‘Voice’ for Indigenous people

FRANCE24

October 14, 2023

Australians vote to reject constitutional ‘Voice’ for Indigenous people (france24.com)

Three generations of First Nations men share their views on Australia’s referendum

CNN

September 18, 2023

Australian Indigenous Voice: Three generations of First Nations men share their views on Australia’s referendum | CNN

Assessment

Writing: What is the significance of the referendum in Australia?

Debate: What is the best way to address inequities facing Australia’s Indigenous population?

Poll: Should voting be compulsory?

Short Answer: What are the ramifications of voters rejecting expanding rights for Australia’s Indigenous population?

News Quiz

 

True/False

All Indigenous Australians were united in supporting the recent referendum. (T/F)

Indigenous Australians have had a presence on the continent going back over 65,000 years. (T/F)

The last referendum to be passed in Australia was in 1977. (T/F)

Multiple Choice

Which group of voters is largest in Australia?

1. Indigenous.
2. White.
3. Black.
4. Hispanic.

Approximately how many people recently participated in Australia’s referendum?

1. 1 million.
2. 5 million.
3. 10 million.
4. Over 15 million.

All the following are defining characteristics of the recent referendum in Australia EXCEPT.

1. Misinformation.
2. Voter fraud.
3. Racism.
4. Lack of clarity.