The Voice referendum had a profound impact on reports of racism to the Call It Out First Nations Racism Register in the latest annual report from the Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research and the National Justice Project.
The second annual report from the Call It Out project, covering March 2023-March 2024, titled ‘If you don’t think racism exists come take a walk with us’ includes 453 reports of racism against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Almost two thirds of reports (62%) were made by a person witnessing racism and a third (31%) by First Nations people directly experiencing it.
The report’s guest author, Jumbunna Institute Director Professor Lindon Coombes, described the 2023 Voice referendum as one of our darkest moments.
Racism remains an insidious and all too common aspect of life for Indigenous people in Australia.
The Call It Out report explores the impacts of the referendum, the racism that plays out in our institutions and systems of governance and in the everyday places we live, work and play.
Witness reports were significantly higher during this period compared to the previous year with an increase in racist incidents associated with the referendum on the Voice to Parliament. This also included higher rates of racism reported in online and media related incidents with many witnesses coming forward to report a significant increase in racism in the public arena associated with the referendum.
The webinar launch of this report featured Professor Coombes with fellow authors A/Professor Fiona Allison and Professor Chris Cunneen as well as guest speakers from Minjerribah Moorgumpin Elders-In-Council Aboriginal Corporation.
Read the report here
Watch the webinar recording here
Make a report to Call It Out here
Media Coverage
- Voice referendum normalised racism towards Indigenous Australians, report finds
The Guardian, 6 March 2025 - ‘No safe space’: racist incidents called out in report
Australian Associated Press, 6 March 2025 - Voice referendum led to increase in hostile levels of racism – report
National Indigenous Times, 6 March 2025 - ‘No safe space’: report highlights increase in racism after failed Voice referendum
SBS News, 7 March 2025 - Report finds Voice referendum normalised racism and increased hostility toward First Nations People
NITV, 7 March 2025
