Australians did not grant constitutional recognition and greater rights to the country's indigenous peoples in today's historic referendum, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles announced.
'Australians did not vote for an amendment to the Constitution,' said Marles in light of the partial results of the consultation, which indicate a resounding defeat for the reform. "We respect this result very much," Marles said.
With two-thirds of polling stations reported, 55% of voters voted 'no' to the proposal, which would also have created an advisory body - called 'Voice' - able to represent indigenous peoples in the national parliament.
Labour Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had included the referendum as a pledge in his campaign for the election won in May last year and yesterday said he was confident of a positive result.
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