Referendum on indigenous representation in parliament splits Australia, opinion polls predict likely ‘no’ vote

Mr Trindall, 67, has lived in the town for 43 years, and like so many First Nations people, remains distrusting of the big city movers and shakers who claim to understand and represent Aboriginal needs.

“As far as I’m concerned, we’ve had Aboriginal people representing us for years and they’ve achieved nothing. The only way that it’s going to work and the only way it’s going to achieve (something) is if it’s local people that are representing the local people,” he said.

The Aboriginal community is disadvantaged in terms of education, child mortality, domestic violence, and life expectancy. The life of inequality has driven many to bad health and lifestyles, often caused by alcohol and poor diet.

“It’s everywhere. It’s not just one town. Aboriginal people are treated unfairly everywhere we go. We turn to petty crime, like opportunistic theft from a local business,” a 19-year-old Walgett resident told CNA.

The challenging environment offers little hope for some in the community, and like many across Australia who also face rising living costs, they find the referendum far from their thoughts.