“The federal budget offers the clearest sign yet that the Albanese government has walked back its divisive “voice, treaty, truth” agenda. This is a massive victory for mainstream Australians, who have already rejected the Voice to Parliament, and believe all Australians are equal,” said Margaret Chambers, Research Fellow at the Institute of Public Affairs.
The 2026-27 federal budget, which outlines the federal government’s funding priorities over the next financial year, does not mention voice, treaty, truth-telling, or other similar commitments.
- Previously, the Uluru Statement from the Heart was a high priority of the federal government. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese committed to implementing the recommendations of the Uluru Statement from the Heart “in full” after the 2022 federal election.
- At the October 2023 referendum, 60 per cent of Australians voted No to a proposal to insert an indigenous-only Voice body into the Australian Constitution.
- The Australian Electoral Commission estimated the cost of the 2023 referendum to be over $400 million.
“IPA research into attitudes to the 2023 referendum found that Australians voted No because they believed the Voice would divide the country by race. The federal government now finally appears to be accepting the verdict of mainstream Australians,” said Ms Chambers.
“Despite the change in direction at the federal level, several states and territories are still pursuing “Voice, Treaty, Truth”, with South Australia’s voice to parliament, Victoria’s treaty laws, and New South Wales’ treaty consultation showing the divisive agenda is rapidly proceeding.”
“Australians have already rejected the Uluru Statement’s core premise that Aboriginal Australians should have separate legal and political rights. The states need to follow the federal government’s apparent backdown and honour the 2023 referendum result by abandoning racial division,” said Ms Chambers.
Related IPA research can be found here.
