Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags across the country are being flown at half mast following the Australian public's decision to vote against an Indigenous Voice to parliament.
The gesture was called for in a joint statement from Indigenous Australians who supported the Voice, first published on Sunday.
It it yet to be confirmed who issued the statement, though it has been endorsed and seemingly followed by a range of groups.
"We will be lowering our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags to half-mast for the week of silence to acknowledge this result," the statement read.
"We ask others to do the same."
A range of organisations and institutions have adopted the action, including Perth's Murdoch University.
Aboriginal flags were also seen flying at half mast along the country's east coast, including in Sydney's Inner West, across Victoria's Yarra Valley and south-west.
Flying at half-mast to show respect.
Always was, always will be, Aboriginal land. pic.twitter.com/OzdhTwrSOb
— Darcy Byrne (@MayorDarcy) October 15, 2023
Flags at half-mast in the Yarra Valley Vic today. pic.twitter.com/hWABEFNggi
— Dan Fan Girl 🤓 (@ChristyDanFan) October 15, 2023
This image says it all.
The flags of the First Nations flying at half mast, at the request of the local Indigenous people in the Division (never more aptly named) of Dunkley today.#Bunurongcountry pic.twitter.com/oIcOMduIy6
— Tony Sowersby (@TonySowersby) October 15, 2023
However not all were in approval, with columnist Parnell McGuinness calling the act a "protest against democracy".
I understand the disappointment of Yes campaigners. And I understand the hurt of Indigenous people for whom a constitutional mechanism has been conflated with a popularity contest. But flying flags at half mast because you've lost a vote suggests a protest against democracy.
— Parnell Palme McGuinness 🦇 (@parnellpalme) October 15, 2023
Northern Territory senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price also criticised the move, describing the move as "destructive".
"It's really taking the negative steps forward," Senator Price told Sydney's 2GB.
"The vast majority of Australians no longer want to participate in grievance. I just think it's continuing to push that narrative, that victim mentality narrative, and we've got to move away from that.
"It's destructive. It hasn't worked… the broader community hasn't bought into it and we need to move away from it."
The call to fly Australia's Indigenous flags came alongside a call for 'A Week of Silence' following the referendum's defeat.
"We are calling A Week of Silence from tonight (Saturday 14th October) to grieve this outcome and reflect on its meaning and significance," the statement read.
"We will not be commenting further on the result at this time."
