what was the outcome of the 2023 referendum

The 2023 referendum you’re likely referring to is the Australian Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum held on 14 October 2023, and the proposal was rejected.

Quick Scoop

In simple terms:

• Australians voted “No” overall, so the Constitution was not changed to establish an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament.

• Nationally, about 60% voted No and about 40% voted Yes.

• For a referendum to pass in Australia, it needs:
  • A national majority of voters (more than 50% Yes), and
  • A majority of voters in a majority of states (at least 4 out of 6 states voting Yes).

• In 2023, both tests failed: the national majority was No, and all six states recorded No majorities. Only the Australian Capital Territory recorded a Yes majority.

What the vote was about

• The proposal was to amend the Australian Constitution to recognise First Peoples by creating a permanent advisory body called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice , which could make representations to Parliament and the Executive Government on matters relating to Indigenous peoples.

• Because the referendum failed, this body was not added to the Constitution, and any future “Voice”-style body would need to be created (if at all) through ordinary legislation, not constitutional change.

Results snapshot (national level)

• No: 9,452,792 votes (about 60.06%)

• Yes: 6,286,894 votes (about 39.94%)

• Total votes: 15,895,231, with turnout close to 90% of enrolled voters.

If you meant a different country’s 2023 referendum (for example, on another issue or in another region), tell me which country or topic (e.g., “Chile constitution 2023” or “Ireland 2023 referendums”), and I can give you the specific outcome for that one.