"Australian Community's Future: Embracing Change with or without a Voice"
Originally Published 2 years ago — by CNN
Cherbourg, an Australian community built on racial segregation, is grappling with the upcoming referendum on whether to recognize First Nations people in the constitution and create a Voice to Parliament. The community, which was once a government reserve for forcibly relocated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, has made progress in recent years but still faces disparities in areas such as infant mortality, employment, suicide, and incarceration. The referendum is on track to fail, with polls showing a divide among Australians. Supporters argue for constitutional recognition and a permanent body to address Indigenous issues, while opponents believe it embeds division and want more accountability in Indigenous programs.