The resounding defeat of The Voice proposal sends a clear message: Australians are demanding a change in policy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. But it’s not just any change they want.
The victory speeches of the main No campaigners, like Senator Jacinta Nampijimpa Price, were not triumphant. Instead, there was a sense of sadness that things had come to this.
In his referendum night speech, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese seemed to be calling for a new approach and bipartisanship with Opposition Leader Peter Dutton. Labor claims that The Voice campaign will have no impact on their vote in the next election, but I believe they are mistaken.
The truth is, Labor has a history of proposing policies that are collectivist, top-down, and favor specific groups without consulting the wider community. These policies fail to address the real problems people are facing, such as rising interest rates, housing affordability, electricity issues, low economic productivity, and more.
The connection between a constitutionally enshrined bureaucracy and improving outcomes for Aborigines is questionable. Similarly, increasing government housing expenditure does not necessarily lead to housing affordability, and pushing for more renewable energy sources does not automatically result in lower power prices. Labor’s approach lacks practicality and understanding.
A ‘No’ sign is seen at Clovelly Surf Life Saving Club polling centre in Sydney, Australia, on Oct. 14, 2023. (Jenny Evans/Getty Images)
Labor won the last election by presenting themselves as a small target and hiding the details of their policies. However, polling on The Voice indicates that once people examined the details and realized opposing it wasn’t racist, they switched from supporters to opponents. The same pattern will likely emerge with other policies.
Labor’s Approach to Governance Exposed
Labor’s policies often rely on moral absolutism and dismiss alternative viewpoints. They label those who disagree with them as racists, granny killers, destroyers of the planet, or exploiters. This absolutist stance breeds resistance instead of fostering obedience. The Yes campaign shares the blame for the defeat of the referendum due to their inflexible and divisive approach.
Graffiti and a “Vote NO” campaign sign is seen outside a home in Perth, Australia, on Oct. 7, 2023. (Matt Jelonek/Getty Images)
The No campaign has been accused of spreading misinformation, but these claims are unfounded. The concerns raised about The Voice were speculative rather than outright lies.
Who Else Is Being Blamed for The Voice Result?
Some are blaming Mr. Albanese, which undermines his authority if he truly wants to change direction. However, this is a variable they cannot change as he will lead Labor to the next election.
There is also a desperate attempt to blame Mr. Dutton, suggesting that it was voters’ duty to support The Voice. This belief in the absolute righteousness of The Voice is insulting to both voters and Mr. Dutton.
Will This Trigger Self-Reflection?
Labor has had successful governments in the past when they governed pragmatically and consulted with the wider community. However, their current approach lacks humility and understanding of human nature. The old ways are deeply ingrained in the party, and unless they change, they will face more defeats in the future.
Despite the decisive result, it seems that Labor is reluctant to change course. Old habits and human nature die hard.
Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Itative capitalists. This type of rhetoric only serves to divide and stifle meaningful debate.
Furthermore, Labor’s approach to governance often ignores the realities of the economy and the complexities of society. Their reliance on big government and excessive regulation stifles innovation, hinders economic growth, and burdens small businesses. This ultimately hampers job creation and leaves everyday Australians worse off.
The defeat of The Voice proposal highlights the growing dissatisfaction with Labor’s approach. Australians are rejecting policies that prioritize identity politics and symbolic gestures over practical solutions to the challenges facing our nation.
Instead, Australians are yearning for policies that empower individuals, foster economic growth, and address the genuine concerns of everyday Australians. They want policies that promote personal responsibility, reward hard work, and encourage entrepreneurship.
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