Though the results are in, on Saturday the Member for Lismore, Janelle Saffin, and Member of the Legislative Council, Sue Higginson, were both positive and philosophical about the unfolding event.
Sue Higginson MLC voted at the Lismore Heights Public School. ‘I’m voting yes, on my ballot paper,’ she said.
An incredibly important time in Australia’s truth-telling
‘We know, this is an incredibly important time in Australia’s truth-telling, and [for playing] our part in First Nations justice, no matter what the outcome today, and I’ve got hope and love in my heart that we can get this over the line. But, no matter how we wake up tomorrow, we will continue on this big bold path and brave path to First Nations justice.’
Ms Higginson said Australians know what they need to do. ‘We’ve got to stop the over-incarceration; we’ve got to improve health outcomes.; we’ve got to improve education; and we know the work that we’ve got to do to extend life expectancy.’
Ms Higginson said the good thing right now is no matter what the outcome is, New South Wales is on the path to truth-telling and treaty. ‘I’m working closely with the New South Wales Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaties. And this process has already started. As soon as this referendum is done, New South Wales will be taking, as this current government has committed, steps to truth and treaty and I will be doing everything I can across New South Wales with First Nations communities to be on the path to truth and treaty. ‘We know this is about First Nations justice.’
Disappointing things about the referendum
Ms Higginson said there were so many disappointing things about the way we’ve gone about this referendum. ‘I echo the comments of Laura Tingle today. I’m really disappointed with the media coverage of the “Yes” campaign and I think that there will be some strong days of reckoning to come.’
Janelle Saffin MP cast her votes at the Bexhill Public School before buying a democracy snag and lemonade. ‘It felt good to be able to go and vote “Yes” – it’s what I wanted to do.
A real opportunity to make a significant change
‘I see this as a real opportunity to make a significant change in the way that we include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in discussions about their futures, their immediate futures, about their policies about their way of life.
‘I’ve been a representative in Canberra – I know who gets a voice, and it’s not Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people – lots of other people get voices, but without a representative body, so to speak.’
Ms Saffin said she has listened to a lot of the debate. ‘I’ve heard things said regarding our prime minister. The way I see it is the prime minister has shown absolute courage and conviction by putting before the Australian people something that he knows in his heart is fair and just to do.’
A mixed view of the referendum
Ms Saffin said there had been a mixed view of the referendum among her personal Indigenous freinds and colleagues. ‘Some feel uplifted, some feel disappointed. It’s been a mixture of feelings with people, but overwhelmingly, the feeling has been that this is a good thing to put before the Australian people.’
Yesterday Ms Higginson, who is also the Greens’ spokesperson for First Nations justice, said that despite indicative results of a ‘No’ vote, the NSW Greens remain steadfast and committed to a ‘Truth and Treaty’ process in NSW. ‘The referendum has caused untold hurt to First Nations communities and action on state-based treaties remains the priority for the Greens under the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP) to achieve self-determination.
Much more work to be done
‘The results show that there is much more work to be done by non-First Nations Australians when it comes to achieving justice in this country, and in NSW.
‘Allies of the First Nations of Australia remain committed to the fight for First Nations justice and in NSW the Greens will be calling on the government to get on with establishing a treaty process to resolve historical wrongs against Australia’s first people.
‘The role that disinformation, and outright lies, have played in the referendum is deeply disturbing. I sincerely believe that the majority of Australians, in the majority of states, believe in an honest commitment to justice with First Nations people. This result does not reflect this country and NSW that I know.’
The Sovereign First Nations voices
Ms Higginson said the Greens will not stop campaigning and supporting state and federal bodies that are independent from colonial systems and that are reflective of Sovereign First Nations voices in this country. ‘The allies of First Nations Australia are ready to continue this campaign and will not stop until truth and treaty are a reality in NSW and this country.
‘To all of the mob out there, please hear us when we say that you are not alone and that the rights of Australia’s First People are important. Tomorrow is the beginning of the next fight and we are here for you and all fair-minded Australians.’
Richmond votes: No, yes
Do you mean yeah nah, or nah yeah. Speak Australian please.
Actually to paraphrase the slogan of the ignorant, didn’t know voted no . Not a sign of informed choice at all .a sign of wilful ignorance
Respect the people’s voice please Dave [remember Refo’76] – ‘the voters never get it wrong’.
Reportedly over 38M was expended on Refo’23.
Money well spent, if it at long last it shows-up the multi-billions wasted on exclusive aboriginal services under our past and present hierarchy management
They definitely need auditing, a restructure and a re-think.
The point of the statement is that it wasn’t ‘wilful’ ignorance. You don’t sign a contract if the details will be filled in later.
First Nations People, coming last and staying there.
Well done Australia, NOT.
If equality isn’t enough, then you will have to talk to God about his workmanship.
Why are these people in your Parliament? This is why you can’t have nice things, NSW.
But you don’t believe in democracy Christian as you are always slagging off at politicians and your distrust. What nice things are you talking about? Maybe you should widen your circle and go an meet some of our politicians, you’ll be surprised. Might be difficult though for the federal member for page who keeps disappearing from the action.
I do have ties to politicians, even one from your state. That is why I say the things I do. But simply pointing out that we are a Constitutional Monarchy, not a Democracy, does not mean I have no use for democratic processes.
Ms Higginson and Ms Saffin unable to accept the will of the people.
They are a disgrace to their office.
Cheers, G”)
the ‘Yes’ team screwed up big time…very poorly done I think they thought that it would just happen but what a monumental error of judgement.
such a shame to get this result.
I’m surprised you lot feel that way. The public have now been energised into figuring out a final solution to the Aboriginal problem. Isn’t that what you wanted? Or was it not actually about the Aboriginals and their welfare?
“final solution”
You should know better Mr. Steinberg.
Quite right, the last attempt was a failure, or we wouldn’t be seeing the genocide against the poor Palestinians now.
Cheers, G”)
It’s not a genocide Ken. It’s only an ethnic cleansing. The Egyptians were telling Israel the attack was coming for 3 weeks, and the IDF were held back for 6 hours, but it’s sure good timing for Bibi. Saved his arse at the expense of a few mere ‘lesser brethren’. That’s zionists for you.
They “ stuffed up” is the refrain du jour – minus any alternative suggestions.
It would be hard to know what a better campaign would be like – it was such a simple common sense proposition. All you can do is tell the truth and appeal to reason, focusing on the question and the amendment. Unfortunately that doesn’t go viral in quite the same way as a good old apocalyptic conspiracy theory that focuses on anything but.
Adam Briggs’ little video got lots of views, but the level of sophistication required to appreciate the humour was probably asking too much for many.
Adam Briggs nailed it.
He did!
Echo moderators:
IT is not censorship if you refuse to run steinberg’s hate-filled rants, he’s a troll FFS.
By running every one of his stupid comments, the Echo undermines its feedback service, people will get turned off. Methinks
it’s had its use-by date, the engagement with readers is out of whack by continuing this practice.
His are not the only comments here that shouldn’t seethe light of day.
Open Can Worms!
Nothing to do with a diversity of opinions and you know it. I would have thought the Echo might too.
You say things all the time that offend me and others, in far more significant ways than you realise. So does Ken for that matter, however I don’t try to get either of you shut down for it, quite the opposite. So what does that make you, and in particular, Luis? Check your history books.
I haven’t suggested anyone should be shut down because I disagree with them. I’m just gobsmacked that the moderators haven’t been more alert to vilification and gratuitously hurtful bigotry.
You’ve made a similar claim before. An example or two might help educate me.
Funny interpretation of that period of history in particular.
Refresh my memory, which side hasn’t militarised its entire population to kill the other? Which side doesn’t torture and kill the other side’s children? Which side hasn’t been trying to ethnically cleanse the land of the other side? I’m on the side of white babies, especially mine. So now can we talk about this ‘strip citizenship and deport’ concept, or is that talk only allowed in a Samizdat?
I wasn’t referring to any particular period, but I did have the Samizdat in mind. You guys ‘vilification and gratuitously hurtful bigotry’ all the time about my White People. But if you think Jews are a special case, I’m sure the moderators can start censoring what you say to me more heavily.
I was actually thinking of the book burning episode. I don’t quite know who “your” white people are, Christian but I doubt you can quote something where I’ve vilified them.
Did you ever look into what those books were? Your average Australian at the time would have burnt them.
Menzies failed in his 1951 referendum to ban the communist party, even at the height of the Cold War and I think, Einstein, Freud, Brecht, Keller were quite highly regarded.
The far-left bias allows some commenters to write things I would never be allowed to.
You are so right Luis.
I have a theme song for you both. Share and enjoy. youtube: ‘Play It Safe by Tim Minchin | Sydney Opera House 50th Anniversary’
I did enjoy it thanks, Christian. Tim Minchin is brilliant. You do realise it was satirical don’t you?
Do you know what ‘double entendre’ means?
Do you know what sarcasm is?
“Double entendre” is French. Why can’t I reply with “pourquoi?”?
They don’t even remotely come close to ‘running’ all of them. They don’t even run all of Lizardbreath’s. Pretty sure bringing diversity to the comments section makes it more inclusive, thus increasing engagement, and widening the services provided by the Echo to a larger segment of the community. The only hate, is your feelings towards political opinions you are not used to hearing. People walk past you in the street every day that think the same thoughts as I. I speak for many people, that aren’t is a position to speak for themselves. If you disagree, you can always engage with me, in fact, I encourage you to.
Does the Echo have any moderating standards?
They do, actually. In fact, they have a list of topics they won’t even allow me to post anything about. These are not democratic standards, and they are unwaveringly strict about what you can say, and how you can say it, which is not good, but it’s just how they are.
Don’t forget everyone, the Byron Shire is a very special place. Only certain topics and opinions are allowed to be published. Please don’t try to rock the boat, heads could explode if you make it hard for them. Just keep an even keel, no matter how uneven it is. Don’t try to question the narrative or ideology.
Have you noticed the heat maps of the election results, look like the heat maps of a pandemic?