MORE work must be done for the wellbeing of Indigenous Australians in the wake of the Voice to Parliament referendum, Dunkley MP Peta Murphy says.
At last weekend’s referendum, the Indigenous Voice to Parliament was emphatically rejected by voters. With a little more than 78 percent of the vote counted; 60.6 percent of people voted “No”.
Frankston has a large population of Indigenous people compared to other local government areas. Murphy says the Indigenous community in her electorate will be “hurting” from the outcome of the vote.
“Frankston has the second highest proportion of First Nations people across all metropolitan areas and is projected to have Victoria’s largest First Nations population by 2028,” she said. “My heart goes out to our local First Nations community, particularly Nairm Marr Djambana and First Peoples’ Health and Wellbeing who no doubt will be hurting.
“While the result is not the one I had hoped, I am proud of the respectful way Dunkley residents took part in this referendum. Regardless of the result, we can and must do better as we work towards closing the gap.”
In Dunkley, 56.4 percent of residents voted “No” with around 80 percent of the vote counted.
The proposed Voice would have taken the form of an advisory body of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, who would provide feedback on proposed laws and make representation to government on Indigenous matters. Although the referendum to enshrine the Voice into the constitution has failed, a similar body could still be legislated by parliament in the future.
Frankston-based Indigenous group Nairm Marr Djambana campaigned for the Voice. Before the vote its board released a statement saying “Indigenous Australia has made the reasonable request to be listened to about their own issue and their own communities. This is not about what will be lost, for nothing will be lost, but there is much to be gained. We implore our fellow Australians to support us [and] make history.”
Murphy says that although the referendum failed, the government is taking other actions locally to achieve better outcomes for Indigenous Australians. “The Albanese Government has already delivered $7.6 million towards First Peoples’ Health and Wellbeing for a new fit for purpose building in the Frankston CBD. This new facility will provide a culturally safe, accessible general practice, pathology, dental and psychology services,” she said. “In addition, the federal government has also committed $850,000 towards the redevelopment of Nairm Marr Djambana, our local Aboriginal gathering place.”