Truth telling could be a vital step in healing the wounds inflicted by Australia’s colonial history on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, according to Elders.

On October 14, 2023, Australians across the world voted ‘no’ in the Voice to Parliament referendum. One year later many are looking for ways to heal from this loss. Some believe solutions exist, but they lack adequate support. 

What was the Voice to Parliament referendum?

The Voice to Parliament was designed as a third body of parliament that would assist the two houses on issues involving Aboriginal people. It would have had no power to block any legislation, but would have acted as an advisory council for Aboriginal people to have a say on laws that would affect them.

Put to a vote, 60 per cent of the country voted no, with WA’s sitting at the third highest no vote in the country at just over 63 per cent. 

A study conducted by Reconciliation Australia found 60 per cent of non-Indigenous Australians had never met an Aboriginal person. 

Lecturer in Aboriginal Studies Carol Dowling said that there was a connection between the landslide no vote, and the percentage of non-Indigenous Australians who know an Aboriginal person. 

 “The whole notion of ‘if you don’t know, vote no’ is because they don’t know us, they don’t know our issues, and they don’t know our reality.” 

A year on…

Director of Dumbartung Aboriginal Corporation Robert Eggington said racism in Australia had got worse since the referendum. 

‘Take the flag down, stop the smoking ceremonies, and get rid of the welcome to country,’ are some of the things he has heard in the community. 

He said: “It gave them the scope to say, yes we won the landslide victory, so no more of nothing about Aboriginal people, culture or history.” 

What can we do?

Reconciliation WA chief executive Jody Nunn said the referendum wasn’t the only way to heal Australia’s society. Treaty and truth were two crucial aspects of moving forward. 

She said education and awareness were fundamental pillars of truth.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education officer Jansie Sonter said truth telling needed to begin at primary education. 

She said there was still underlying mistreatment of Australia’s history in the Education Department. 

“There are still words like Aborigine being used, words like half-caste or mixed blood,” she said. 

 “You’re either Aboriginal or you’re not Aboriginal.”

Ms Sonter said learning significant cultural dates such as, NAIDOC week, Reconciliation week, and Mabo Day should be included in all curriculums to understand Aboriginal people’s post-colonial history. 

“We celebrate ANZAC day without a blink of the eye, but why aren’t we celebrating National Sorry Day.”

Ms Nunn said increasing Australian’s understanding of their history, and the impact that colonisation has on Aboriginal people, was needed to achieve reconciliation. 

“There is a big part of our history that gets swept under the carpet, and we’ve got to stop.”

Mr Eggington said truth telling lay within community organisations sharing their stories and lived experiences. He runs an organisation called Dumbartung that is dedicated to sharing Aboriginal history and stories to the wider community. 

Dumbartung is currently working with the government to deliver cultural programs at Banksia Hill Prison to help young Aboriginal people understand their heritage. 
 
He said it was important to share the individual experiences with both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians to help people understand the damage that colonisation caused. 
 
Dr Dowling thinks organisations like Dumbartung will make a real difference. 
 
In 2023 the Council of Aboriginal Services WA was formed to try and close the gaps that exist between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians. 
 
This is one of the groups that Dr Dowling believes will help to heal the divide in Australian society. 

She said: “To actually give that sort of authority to the community organisations that are doing incredible work to bring about change, I’d say that’s a fantastic move.” 
 
Funding for these organisations is the key according to Dr Dowling, who hopes the government will increase support for these community groups to ensure all voices of Australian history are heard.