Australia strongly rejected a proposal to include Indigenous people in the constitution on Saturday, a stunning setback to the country’s efforts to reconcile with its First Peoples. With 45% of the votes counted, the “No” vote led the “Yes” vote 57.35% to 42.65% nationwide. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and other television networks predict that at least four states – New South Wales, Tasmania, Queensland, and South Australia – will vote against changing the 122-year-old constitution. A successful referendum requires support from at least four of the six states, as well as a national majority. Due to Australia’s time zones, voting in Western Australia was still ongoing as it became evident that the referendum had been lost. Australians were invited to write “Yes” or “No” on a voting paper whether they agreed to the idea, which would recognize Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by establishing an Indigenous advisory body, the “Voice to Parliament.” #AustraliaReferendum #IndigenousRecognition #ConstitutionalVote #ReconciliationEfforts #NationalOutcome #FirstPeoplesRights #AustralianNews #ConstitutionalChange #ReconciliationSetback #AustraliaVotes