Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

I rise today to speak with a heavy heart on the outcome of Saturday's referendum. Saturday's result was not the outcome that so many of us were hoping for and working towards. I want to acknowledge the hurt, pain and the strong emotions that are being felt right now in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, particularly in my home state of South Australia. To Uncle Moogy Sumner, to Jakirah Telfer and to Sally Scales in particular, I am so sorry. Thank you for your wisdom, your generosity and your courage. Thank you for sharing the knowledge of your ancestors with me and all of South Australia. I am so sorry we couldn't get it done this time around. This referendum saw a Trumpian campaign of misinformation and fear led by Peter Dutton. As Uncle Moogy said, some people 'made the Voice into something that it wasn't'.

I also want to acknowledge the leadership of Senator Dorinda Cox, our great warrior for truth and wisdom here on the Greens crossbench. In her words:

For those who are feeling a sense of loss, we say to you: the pathway to First Nations justice does not end today, and the Greens will not stop fighting.

We need to work together to understand the truth about the past so that we can move forward together.

As Minister Burney said on the night of the referendum:

… achieving progress is never easy. Progress doesn't always move in a straight line. There a breakthroughs—and there are heartbreaks … Be proud of who you are. Be proud of your identity. Be proud of the 65,000 years of history and culture that you are a part of. And your rightful place in this country.

Right now is a time for healing and reflection, but we will keep fighting.