2023 Australian Indigenous Voice referendum

2023 Australian Indigenous Voice referendum

14 October 2023 (2023-10-14)

A Proposed Law: To alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.
Do you approve this proposed alteration?
OutcomeNot carried. A majority "no" vote nationally and in all states.
WebsiteOfficial results
Results
Choice
Votes %
Yes 6,286,894 39.94%
No 9,452,792 60.06%
Valid votes 15,739,686 99.02%
Invalid or blank votes 155,545 0.98%
Total votes 15,895,231 100.00%
Registered voters/turnout 17,671,784 89.95%

Results by state or territory, and division

The 2023 Australian Indigenous Voice referendum was a constitutional referendum held on 14 October 2023 in which the proposed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice was rejected. Voters were asked to approve an alteration to the Australian Constitution that would recognise Indigenous Australians in the document through prescribing a body called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice that would have been able to make representations to Federal Parliament and the executive government on "matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples".[1] The proposal was rejected nationally and by a majority in every state, thus failing to secure the double majority required for amendment by section 128 of the constitution. The Australian Capital Territory was the only state or territory with a majority of "yes" votes. Analysis of surveys following the referendum identified the main reasons why the majority of Australians voted no was a scepticism of rights for some Australians that are not held by others and a fear of constitutional change.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Announcement was invoked but never defined (see the help page).