One of the faces of the unsuccessful Yes campaign for an Indigenous Voice to Parliament, Thomas Mayo reflects on a 'gut-wrenching' referendum loss and personal attacks against him.
Six months after Australia voted against a constitutionally enshrined Voice to Parliament, Yes campaign leader Thomas Mayo concedes some of the momentum for change has been lost.He's worried the result has made Indigenous affairs a "no-go zone" for politicians, but believes Australians do genuinely want to see a better future for First Nations people.
"I hope the government does something about it, and that this isn't something we accept as Australians, this kind of vitriol, personal harm to someone, and racism … it was blatant racism," he says.The Yes campaign had millions of dollars of funding, and the endorsement of some of Australia's largest and most trusted corporations and businesses, from the AFL, to the big banks, Telstra and Woolworths.
Anthony Albanese addressed the nation on referendum night, saying reconciliation must be a part of the next chapter in Australian history.The Yes campaign was built off the backs of its supporters around the country, many of whom were ordinary Australians who dedicated their time to volunteering for the cause.How best to address inequality experienced by Indigenous people is again front and centre for politicians, after a long post-Voice referendum hiatus.
"Some politicians are using it as an opportunity for regression, and we need to fight against that," he says. "I think a legislated Voice to Parliament makes sense, it continues to be common sense that when you make decisions about a people, that you listen to what they have to say — that's all a voice is," he says.
Darwin Yes Voice Campaign Referedum Voice To Parliament Constitution Thomas Mayo Yes23
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