Acknowledgment of the Voice to Parliament referendum outcome

Today MCM Group acknowledges the outcome of Australia’s referendum on the Voice to Parliament. We are saddened that Australians have not accepted the opportunity to provide First Nations Peoples with constitutional recognition and a chance to have a say in matters that affect their lives, their families and their Communities.

MCM remains committed to working towards redressing the disadvantages and systemic racism experienced by many First Nations Peoples and Communities. We will continue to seek opportunities to support First Nations People to fully realise the offer of Voice, Treaty and Truth from the Uluru Statement from the Heart in all its forms.

Here is what Victoria’s First Nations organisations had to say about the result:

The Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) is deeply disappointed by the outcome of today’s Voice to Parliament Referendum, which has seen one of the world’s most prosperous nations fail to seize upon a historic opportunity to make meaningful change for a better future for all Australians. - VACCHO

There’s no beating around the bush – the referendum result hurts. Our number one priority must be that we look out for each other. Let’s be gentle on ourselves and others. We know the referendum has been hard going for Community. We’re mob. We’ve been here for more than 60,000 years and we’re not going anywhere. We are strong, resilient and deadly. – The First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria

This week will be a difficult week for all those who campaigned for the Voice. MCM encourages you to be compassionate and thoughtful in your actions towards one another, particularly to our First Nations Peoples. Non-Indigenous allies should be mindful not to further burden our First Nations colleagues with our own sorrow at this time as we reflect on, and process, the referendum result.