News analysis

Australia rejects historic aboriginal referendum after bitter campaign splits the nation

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese conceded defeat and pledged to find a “new way forward”. PHOTO: REUTERS
New: Gift this subscriber-only story to your friends and family

SYDNEY – Australian voters on Saturday resoundingly rejected a historic referendum on aboriginal rights in a move that risks damaging the country’s international reputation and marked a personal, though not necessarily political, blow for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

In a rare effort to change the 122-year-old Constitution, Mr Albanese proposed to formally recognise Australia’s indigenous people and to create a body – the Voice – that would allow aboriginal people to provide advice to the government on issues that affect them.

Already a subscriber? 

Read the full story and more at $9.90/month

Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month

Unlock these benefits

  • All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com

  • Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device

  • E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.