Indigenous Australians seek clarity over historic vote

Bangkok Post Group

As polls show an upcoming Australian referendum to recognize its Indigenous people in the constitution is likely to be voted down, Reuters has found that many even within the Indigenous communities don't have a clear idea what the proposal is about. - REUTERS

Transcript

00:00 Here, in the remote outback of Australia's Northern Territory, is Ariranga, one of the

00:06 indigenous communities the country's upcoming referendum is supposed to give a voice to.

00:12 But as Reuters discovers, the voice campaign is struggling to connect with some of the

00:16 people it's aiming to help.

00:19 The nationwide vote seeks to change Australia's constitution to recognise the Aboriginal and

00:24 Torres Strait people, and create a voice to Parliament to give them a channel for advising

00:29 the government on matters affecting indigenous Australians.

00:32 Yet in Ariranga, schoolteacher Tana Andrews says there are members of her small community

00:38 who don't know the details of the proposal.

00:41 Some people are a bit confused what it means, yes and no, like especially the old people.

00:48 And some young, because it's, because community really need more information.

00:56 Andrews explains the problems the community has long faced, a lack of jobs, health services,

01:01 safe housing, and now a lack of communication, on a vote that supporters say could change

01:07 the community's future.

01:09 Aboriginal people have not been treated well, because there is, there are no changes.

01:16 It needs to be changed, like the community.

01:21 We don't see people coming from the government, coming and talking about what we need.

01:30 We never had anyone coming out.

01:32 The voice proposal began with a 2017 Uluru Statement from the Heart, a roadmap for indigenous

01:38 relations with wider Australia.

01:40 Supporters say it will bring much needed progress to First Nations communities.

01:45 But the latest polls show the October 14 referendum is on track to be defeated.

01:50 Some in the no camp want the country to prioritise nationwide economic issues, while others say

01:56 it's unclear what the proposal really covers and believes it's racially divisive, including

02:02 some in the community, like Aboriginal artist Cathy Colthard.

02:07 I think I'll vote no.

02:10 I think it'll divide Australians.

02:18 It's very unsure.

02:20 No one knows what's going to happen, how it's going to happen.

02:23 Some indigenous people say it doesn't go far enough.

02:27 Meanwhile, experts also cite misinformation as a big problem for the voice.

02:32 And reaching out to indigenous Australia can be challenging.

02:36 Communities are scattered over vast distances and speak more than 150 languages.

02:42 The Central Land Council is at the forefront of the area's Yes campaign.

02:46 CEO Les Turner said there had been dozens of information sessions about the voice across

02:51 the southern part of the Northern Territory.

02:54 We've done it in eight different languages and translated what the referendum is and

02:58 that's available on our website.

03:03 But it's also upon all Australians to find out what the referendum's about, what it means.

03:09 Still, during Reuters' visit to the area, several said they had not even heard about

03:14 the vote.

03:15 Over in the more developed Hermannsburg community, where there are better internet services,

03:20 Conrad Rotara highlighted another problem.

03:23 I just sent a piece of paper.

03:25 I can't read.

03:29 Some people can't read.

03:31 Some people can hear what you're talking about.

03:38 We need people to come.

03:40 A Central Land Council spokeswoman said the group has since also hosted sessions in Hermannsburg

03:45 and Arrayonga.

03:48 Indigenous Australians make up about 3.8 per cent of the population today.

03:52 Under colonial government policies, they lost homelands and children suffered forced separation

03:57 from their parents until well into the 20th century.

04:01 Prime Minister Antony Albanese has said he hopes the referendum will help close glaring

04:06 gaps in socio-economic outcomes between indigenous and wider Australia.

04:11 But, with the vote fast approaching, some in the community, like Conrad Rotara, fear

04:16 it may be lost because many people simply don't understand it.

04:21 [Music]

04:26 (gentle music)

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