Anthony Albanese breaks his silence on Voice to Parliament referendum defeat and reveals his reason for why it failed

Anthony Albanese has addressed the nation after his proposed Voice to Parliament referendum was resoundingly defeated.

The teary-eyed Prime Minister acknowledged that while it wasn’t the result he had hoped for, he respects the overwhelming decision of the Australian people and urged Yes advocates to show ‘grace and humility’.

‘When we reflect on everything happening in the world today, we can all give thanks that here in Australia we make the big decisions peacefully and as equals, with one vote, one value,’ he said. 

‘I never imagined or indeed said that it would be easy. Very few things in public life worth doing are.’

He accepted the responsibility for the tough loss but added that he believes debate around the real length of the Uluru Statement from the Heart swayed some voters.

Since 2017, the final Statement was been touted as a one-page, 439-word ‘generous’ call to unite Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. 

But during the campaign No advocates pointed out the single page is informed by a further 26 pages which include calls for reparations, ‘rent’ to be paid, and a reconsideration of land rights.

But such words were never included in the Statement itself. 

‘Debates about the length of the Uluru Statement from the Heart that no-one serious, in his room room…. we had pages and pages and weeks and weeks where those issues were portrayed,’ Mr Albanese said.

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‘So for many people it became an issue in which they were receiving a range of information.’

He then made a quip about questions raised earlier this year centring around whether the Voice to Parliament would have the ability to consult with the central bank over raising the cash rate.

‘You know, the Reserve Bank can rest easy now that they won’t be getting advice on interest rates before the next meeting,’ he said.

‘That was some of the things that were discussed.’

Visibly emotional by the outcome, Mr Albanese vowed his government would continue to fight to improve the lives of Indigenous Australians by working to ‘close the gap’ and advancing reconciliation.

‘Our nation’s Road to reconciliation has often been hard going, steep climbs, the ground uncertain, the headwinds powerful, the way forward difficult to navigate,’ Mr Albanese said.

‘But through the decades there have been hard moments, moments of hard-won progress as well. 

‘That’s why I say tonight is not the end of the road and is certainly not the end of our efforts to bring people together. 

‘The issues we sought to address have not gone away, and neither have the people of goodwill and good heart who want to address them.’ 

The Prime Minister also called for Australians to come together in the wake of the vote. 

‘This moment of disagreement does not define us, and it will not divide us. We are not Yes voters or No voters. We are all Australians.’