A recent report examining instances of racism directed towards Indigenous Australians highlights a disturbing finding: one in five of all complaints related to the failed voice to parliament referendum, which authors have referred to as one of the nation’s “darker moments”.

The report, titled “If You Don’t Think Racism Exists Come Take a Walk With Us”, was released by the University of Technology Sydney’s Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research in collaboration with the National Justice Project. It draws data from 453 verified reports of racism submitted to the Call it Out register over the year to 20 March 2024.

The findings reveal how pervasive racism and its impact continue to affect Australians, particularly in light of the October 2023 referendum where 60% voted against the proposed Indigenous voice to parliament. This has led Professor Lindon Coombes, the guest author, to comment that such events have emboldened racists, leading to an increase in harmful language and abuse online and in public. The report specifically highlights how the lead-up and outcome of the referendum have contributed to the normalization of racism.

The report details various forms of harassment with stereotyping and workplace or in-person abuse being among the most common. Aggressive behavior, including physical violence, verbal abuse, and threats, made up a significant number of reports. While most reports were from witnesses, nearly a quarter were directly experienced by those affected.

Notably, reports mentioning the voice or referendum comprised nearly one-fifth of all submitted, with examples detailing young people’s experiences in schools and online spaces, and instances of supporters of the voice receiving mail with derogatory content.

Institutional racism was also documented, including healthcare settings, education, and the law. This is illustrated by a distressing account of a pregnant woman labeled high-risk solely because of her and her unborn baby’s Aboriginality.

The report emphasizes the gravity of these instances, mentioning not just the psychological but also physical impacts on those affected. The document ends with a note of support, providing information on support services available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/mar/06/voice-referendum-normalised-racism-towards-indigenous-australians-report-finds