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.