For many, today is a day of sadness.
This result is not what we’d hoped for.
The Australian people have had their say –
And a clear majority have voted against the proposed change to the Constitution.
We, of course, accept the decision of the Australian people.
Tonight, I am reminded of a special couple.
Aunty Gloria and Uncle Clive -
Their story tell us so much about our country.
They are 90 and 93 years of age.
Gloria is Aboriginal.
Clive is a white man.
They married in the 1953 at a time in our history when their union was not accepted.
They’ve seen a lot in life…
The ups and downs –
The best and worst.
They’ve experienced the joy of a shared life and raising a family.
And they’ve experienced discrimination and the awful stain of racism –
But they always got through it with an open heart and with their strength of their family and community.
Their lives show us how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go in this country.
That there is a common bond -
That we are stronger together.
Gloria and Clive voted ‘Yes’ in this referendum because they want to see a better future for their children and grandchildren.
Gloria and Clive won’t give up on a better future, and neither will we.
I could not be more proud of people like Gloria and Clive –
And the tens of thousands of ‘Yes’ volunteers who worked so hard for recognition -
You are truly inspirational.
Yes23, the Uluru Dialogues -
And of course, Prime Minister and my parliamentary colleagues – thank you.
I’ll never forget that day in September when some 200,000 Australians walked together for ‘Yes’ right across the nation.
I know this outcome will be hard for some -
But achieving progress is never easy.
Progress doesn’t always move in a straight line.
There a breakthroughs –
And there are heartbreaks.
But I am confident, that because of this campaign, and the millions of conversations it sparked -
That a new generation of Indigenous leaders will emerge –
Young people like Sarah and Jakirah – who are stepping up and they will carry the flame.
That something good will come from shining a light on the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians –
And to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people -
I want to say this:
I know the last few months have been tough.
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.
We will carry on, and we will move forward, we will thrive.
This is not the end of reconciliation.
And in the months ahead I will have more to say about our Government’s renewed commitment to closing the gap -
Because we all agree we need better outcomes for First Nations people.
We need to keep listening to Indigenous Australians about what works and what can make a practical difference for the next generation -
Because we all want what’s best for our children –
We all want our children and grandchildren to have a better future.
Thank you.