I thank the people of Newcastle for voting YES, for answering the call of First Nations people for recognition, listening and a better future for all Australians. Newcastle has recorded the highest yes vote outside of capital cities, at current count.
I am enormously grateful to the hundreds of volunteers in Newcastle who knocked on doors, made phone calls, ran street stalls and community events. Novocastrians showed up in their thousands to walk for YES and they had conversations with their families, friends, neighbours and work mates. The YES result in Newcastle is testament to this massive effort.
I especially want to pay tribute to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait leaders who have given so much of themselves to bring fellow Australians on this journey. It’s been a long road, across some very difficult terrain. The people of Newcastle stand with you.
I know that many Novocastrians will be feeling disheartened by the national results, but this is not the start or end of the struggle for First Nations justice.
We will take some time to pause and reflect as a community, but then regather, because our commitment and conviction for a better future for Australia’s First people is no less urgent today than yesterday. Together we will forge a new path. I know we can do this.
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