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Australia’s senate on Monday voted in favour of holding a referendum to alter the country’s constitution to recognise its indigenous peoples.
The referendum will seek support to establish an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voice within parliament, which would in future advise the government on issues affecting those communities.
The referendum will take place before the end of 2023. According to local media, the vote is likely to be held in October.
On Monday, the Senate passed the bill – with 52 votes for and 19 against – confirming the wording of the constitutional change to be put in the referendum, after the lower house of Parliament passed the draft legislation in May.
‘No’ to indigenous Voice in parliament, Australia’s opposition says
Applause broke out in the Senate chamber after the vote.
“One step closer to giving a voice to needs and aspirations of indigenous Australians,” indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney told a media conference on Monday.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese tweeted, “Together, we can make history by enshrining recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our constitution.”
He has been campaigning in favour of the “voice referendum” since winning the May 2022 election.

A “double majority” is needed to make a constitutional change possible. According to the Australian Electoral Commission, that means there must be a more than 50 per cent “Yes” vote overall, but also at least four of Australia’s six states must return a majority yes vote.
It was not until May 1967 that Australians voted to change the Constitution so that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples would be counted as part of the population.


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Australia

Australian parliament backs indigenous recognition referendum: ‘Together, we can make history’, PM Albanese says

A sticker of the Australian Aboriginal Flag along with the word “Respect”. Photo: Reuters

Minister for indigenous Australians Linda Burmey, right, after the passing of the “Voice to Parliament” bill. Photo: dpa

Top Australian TV host quits ABC show over ‘relentless racist filth’ he endured

An award-winning journalist at Australia’s public broadcaster ABC, Stan Grant, says he endured “relentless racial filth”. Photo: AFP

One of Australia’s top television journalists has quit his show over the racist abuse he faces as an Indigenous man in the spotlight. Photo: ABC

Australia’s indigenous leaders demand King Charles apologise for colonialism

A staunchly worded letter that could sour the build-up to the coronation has been sent to King Charles from Indigenous representatives of 12 Commonwealth nations. Photo: AP

People march during an Invasion Day rally in Brisbane, Australia on January 26, 2023. Photo:  EPA-EFE

Australia is removing British monarchy from its bank notes for new Indigenous design

Queen Elizabeth III’s image on A$5 notes will not be replaced by one of King Charles III. Photo: AP

Indonesian tribe to sue Australia over oil-rich islands as it draws line in the sand

The lawsuit is viewed as the last resort by The Timorese Sea Indigenous People, who live across the Indonesian islands of Rote, Alor, Sawu, and Timor. The people also claimed their ancestors had been fishing around the Ashmore Reef, which is called Sand Island or Pulau Pasir in Indonesian, since 1642. Photo: EPA-EFE

Australia designated Ashmore Reef and Cartier Island as marine parks in 1983 and 2000, respectively, meaning commercial fishing and aquaculture in the parks’ sanctuary zones are prohibited. Map: SCMP

Indonesian fishermen in Banda Aceh unload their catch after returning from the sea. It is common for fishermen to sail long distances to the southern Indonesian hemisphere, even trespassing Australian waters. File photo: EPA-EFE

Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese plans landmark Indigenous referendum for parliamentary representation

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recommended changes to the constitution in a speech at the Garma Festival, ahead of a referendum on an Indigenous Voice. Photo: EPA-EFE

A sticker of the Australian Aboriginal Flag along with the word “RESPECT” is pictured on a structure at the Aboriginal Tent Embassy, a site of protest since 1972, in Canberra, Australia. Photo: Reuters/File

Aboriginal performer known as ‘Turtle’ plays a didgeridoo as he participates in a ceremony with fellow performer Terry Olsen to mark the start of National Reconciliation Week for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in Sydney, Australia, in May 2018. Photo: Reuters

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It will seek support to establish an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voice to advise the government on issues affecting those communities
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been campaigning in favour of the ‘voice referendum’ since winning the May 2022 election


The referendum will seek support to establish an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voice to advise the government on issues affecting those communities.


Human rights

History

Anthony Albanese