On 14 October Australia voted NO.
But Aboriginal people in all our Central Land Council communities voted YES. In fact, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people all over remote Australia voted YES.
The referendum results tell us an important story:
We as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are united.
We know who we are.
We know what we need. And we know things need to change. But we live in a country that does not know itself.
Our people are grieving.
Those of us who have been around for a long time recognise how it feels. We have been here before.
We are sad, but we know that we must stay strong.
Others in our communities, especially young people, are in shock and disbelief.
We need to work together and support each other.
CLC leaders and elders created a legacy of fighting to improve the lives of our people.
The CLC will never stop advocating for our rights.
We will keep fighting for equality, fighting for land, fighting for water, fighting for housing, infrastructure, good jobs, education, closing the gap – a future for our children.
While we are disappointed with the outcome of the referendum, we recognise the courage of the Prime Minister Mr Albanese and thank him for providing Australia with an opportunity to vote for change.
The CLC members and staff thank all Australians who stood with us.
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