Former Pacific leaders hope Australians ‘find conscience’ to pass First Nations referendum.

Former Pacific Islands leaders “pray that Australians find it in their conscience” to vote for constitutional recognition of First Nations people, fearing Australia’s regional reputation will suffer if polls suggest the historic motion fails.

Eight past politicians and diplomats, including former Kiribati president Anote Tong, Palau president Tommy Remengesau, and Marshall Islands president Hilda Cathy Heine, declared Tuesday that they were indigenous islanders and strongly involved with traditional communities.

“We support the momentum by First Nations in seeking to redress the injustices faced by First Nations of Australia, and pray that Australians would find it in their conscience to support this initial step towards a constitutionally enshrined Voice to Parliament,” the Pacific Elders Voice group told Reuters.

They said the referendum should be a “first step” toward a treaty with First Nations.
This month’s polling suggests the Oct. 14 referendum to recognize Indigenous people in the constitution and create an advisory body to give them influence on laws that impact them will fail.

The referendum needs a national majority and a majority in four states to modify the constitution. Australia has passed only eight of 44 constitutional reform proposals since 1901.
Since taking office last year, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s foreign policy has included First Nations culture. Despite competing with China, it has also cited First Nations commerce with the Pacific Islands as a foundation for strong current ties.

The First Nations Ambassador was appointed in March. At a July Pacific Islands visit, ambassador Justin Mohamed told Vanuatu radio station VBTC that the vote was a “very important time” for Australia but that there was “a lot of dialogue both for and against.”

He said his studies will show that Australia’s First Nations have traded with the Pacific Islands for centuries, regardless of the outcome.

Former foreign minister Julie Bishop said a no vote would send a “very negative message” to Australia’s international reputation.

Indigenous Australians, 3.8% of the population, experience discrimination, poor health and education, and high incarceration rates.

The referendum’s supporters think the “Voice to Parliament” will advance Aboriginal rights, while opponents say it will give the body too much power. Certain Indigenous Australians desire a government treaty.