A group of indigenous leaders has declared there is “no hope for reconciliation” and called for a ‘week of silence’ in the wake of a failed Voice to Parliament Referendum.
In a statement sent to Sky News, a group of leaders said it was “bitter irony” and “beyond reason” that “people who have only been on this continent for 235 years would refuse to recognise those whose home this land has been for 60,000 and more years”.
They also called for a ‘media blackout’ and said they would be lowering their flags to half-mast.
“The referendum was a chance for newcomers to to show a long-refused grace and gratitude and to acknowledge that the brutal dispossession of our people underwrote their every advantage in this country”.
The statement said now was not the time to dissect the reasons for this “tragic outcome,” which will be done in the “weeks, years and decades to come”.
“Now is the time for silence, to mourn and deeply consider the consequence of this outcome.
“The only thing we ask is that each and every Australian who voted in this election reflect hard on this question”.
Addressing Indigenous Australians, the statement asked them not to shed tears but to “fly out flags low”.
“This rejection was never for others to issue. The truth is that rejection was always ours to determine. The truth is that we offered this recognition and it has been refused,” the statement read.
“We now know where we stand in this our own country … Re-gather our strength and resolve, and when we determine a new direction for our rights, let us once again unite”.
Concluding its message, the statement called for ‘a week of silence’ to grieve the outcome and reflect on its meaning and significance.
“We will be lowering our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags to half-mast for the week of silence to acknowledge this result. We ask others to do the same”.
Sharing the statement to Twitter, Sky News journalist said Indigenous leaders across the country “see no hope for reconciliation after tonight’s ‘tragic outcome’.”
“An official mourning period begins now. Total media blackout. Flags at half mast”.
Less than 90 minutes after polls closed, the Voice to Parliament referendum was called as a massive defeat for Yes.
The No camp had the vote tied up by 7.25pm, with decisive victories being won in all major states.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese delivered an emotional speech declaring he “gave my word” to Indigenous Australians to hold the referendum, win or lose.
“My fellow Australians, at the outset, I want to say that while tonight’s result is not one that I had hoped for, I absolutely respect the decision of the Australian people,’’ he said.
“And I say to the millions of Australians, all over our great country that voted yes with hope and goodwill”.