Supporting No: Federal Member for Victoria Bridget McKenzie was at Benalla's polling place on Saturday morning, October 14.
Photo by
Simon Ruppert
Australia has overwhelmingly rejected the Indigenous Voice to Parliament.
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At 6am on October 16, every state and territory, except for the ACT, had returned a No majority.
In Benalla, 2436 people voted Yes, while 6083 voted No.
The Victorian 1,477,496 voted Yes, and 1,772,936 voted No.
Across Australia, 5,167,475 voted Yes, and 7,833,783 voted No.
Federal Senator for Victoria Bridget McKenzie was at Benalla’s polling place on Saturday morning, October 14.
Before the results were calculated, she spoke to the Ensign about why she supported a No vote.
“I am a person that professionally and personally has been committed to reconciliation and recognition for my public career,” Ms McKenzie said.
“But I do not support constitutionally enshrining the Voice because I do believe that will have unintended consequences.
No: Australia has spoken.
Photo by
Benalla Ensign
“I think it’s important, though, no matter what the result that we unite as a country and focus on solving the actual problem.”
Federal Member for Indi Helen Haines had been supporting a Yes vote. Following the result, she submitted a statement.
“Change is hard, and changing our constitution is exceptionally hard,” Dr Haines said.
“Yesterday, Australians, including voters in Indi, comprehensively voted ‘No’ to recognition in our constitution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through a Voice to Parliament.
“While I am disappointed in the outcome, I am grateful that we have a democracy that allows every one of us to have our say.
“I have always believed that two people of good character can have different views and discuss those views in peace.
“That is how it should be. I am grateful that we have a strong and independent Australian Electoral Commission, and I thank them for their fine work.
“I know that this is not the end of the journey toward Reconciliation, toward Closing the Gap. We will keep walking together, keeping striving for better.”
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