Australians choose not to establish a system that would allow Indigenous people to advise Parliament

Saturday's referendum in Australia rejected a constitutional provision allowing Indigenous people to advise Parliament on decisions that affect them.

Proponents stated a constitutional Indigenous Voice would recognize Indigenous people's distinctive place in Australian history and give them voice on government policy.

Opponents said it would racially divide Australians without alleviating Indigenous disadvantages.

Indigenous leaders disagreed, and Australia's bipartisan support for altering the constitution never materialized.

The Voice is the 37th failed referendum. Only eight of 45 referendum revisions since 1901 affected the constitution.

A constitutional referendum requires a double majority—a majority of Australians nationwide and a majority of voters in a majority of the six states.

Australians rejected a symbolic preface to the constitution that acknowledged Indigenous Australians had inhabited the country “since time immemorial” and were “honored for their ancient and continuing cultures.”