Voice to Parliament Referendum
Full accountability breakdown of the 2023 Voice referendum — taxpayer cost, funding flows to campaign-aligned organisations, and ongoing state-level spending despite the decisive 60.06% No vote.
DEFEATED — 60.06% NOTotal Taxpayer Cost
$4,874,350,000
across 15 funding lines
Result
60.06% No
39.94% Yes · 0 of 6 states
Ongoing Annual Spend
$4,422,600,000
8 items still funded
Victorian State Spend
$81,700,000
Treaty despite 54.3% No vote
Cost Breakdown
By Funding Source
By Recipient Type
Funding by Category
Government Agency
4 items
$4,709,900,000
State Government
3 items
$81,700,000
Campaign Entity
1 item
$35,000,000
Not-for-Profit
2 items
$28,000,000
Advisory Body
4 items
$11,050,000
Other
1 item
$8,700,000
All Funding Lines
| Recipient | Type | Amount | Source | Year | Ongoing? | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) — ongoing operations
Total NIAA agency budget (not all Voice-specific, but the agency's mandate includes implementing indigenous policy frameworks that the Voice was intended to advise on). Agency …
|
Government Agency | $4,300,000,000 | Federal Budget | 2023-24 | ONGOING | NIAA Portfolio Budget Statements ↗ |
|
Australian Electoral Commission — referendum operations
AEC operational costs for conducting the 2023 referendum: polling stations, staff, ballot papers, counting, logistics. This is the direct cost of running the vote itself.
|
Government Agency | $364,000,000 | AEC Operational | 2023-24 | — | AEC Annual Report 2023-24 ↗ |
|
First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria
Victorian Government funding for the First Peoples' Assembly — the elected indigenous representative body for the Victorian Treaty process. Established 2019 under Andrews, continued under …
|
State Government | $41,800,000 | State Budget | 2023-24 | ONGOING | First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria, Victorian Budget Papers ↗ |
|
Yes23 Campaign Ltd
Official Yes campaign entity. Received approximately $35 million in private donations from corporate donors, unions, and wealthy individuals. Key donors included mining magnates, tech figures, …
|
Campaign Entity | $35,000,000 | Private | 2023-24 | — | AEC Transparency Register ↗ |
|
Yoorrook Justice Commission (Victoria)
Royal Commission-style truth-telling body established by the Victorian Government as part of the Treaty process. Investigating historical and ongoing injustices against First Peoples in Victoria. …
|
State Government | $31,400,000 | State Budget | 2023-24 | ONGOING | Yoorrook Justice Commission ↗ |
|
Government referendum awareness/education campaign
Federal government 'awareness' campaign to educate voters about the referendum. Critics argued the campaign was effectively pro-Voice propaganda using taxpayer funds, as it presented the …
|
Government Agency | $27,400,000 | Federal Budget | 2023-24 | — | Dept of Finance — Government Advertising ↗ |
|
National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) — Voice secretariat
NIAA staff and operations dedicated to the Voice referendum: Voice Design Group support, Referendum Engagement Group, community consultation, policy development.
|
Government Agency | $18,500,000 | Federal Budget | 2022-23 | — | NIAA Portfolio Budget Statements ↗ |
|
Reconciliation Australia
Federal government grants to Reconciliation Australia (co-chaired by Tom Calma). Funding covers reconciliation programs, National Reconciliation Week, and advocacy. Organisation was a prominent Voice supporter. …
|
Not-for-Profit | $15,600,000 | Federal Budget | 2022-23 | ONGOING | Reconciliation Australia Annual Report ↗ |
|
Reconciliation Australia — post-referendum grants
Continued federal funding to Reconciliation Australia despite the Voice referendum being defeated. Organisation continues to advocate for Voice-equivalent structures.
|
Not-for-Profit | $12,400,000 | Federal Budget | 2024-25 | ONGOING | Budget Papers ↗ |
|
University research grants — Voice/indigenous constitutional recognition
ARC and other federal research grants to universities for constitutional recognition and Voice-related research projects. Includes grants to researchers who were prominent Voice advocates.
|
Other | $8,700,000 | Federal Budget | 2022-23 | ONGOING | Australian Research Council ↗ |
|
Victorian Treaty Authority
Independent body established to facilitate treaty negotiations between the Victorian Government and First Peoples' Assembly. Operational since 2023. Funded by Victorian taxpayers. Continues despite the …
|
State Government | $8,500,000 | State Budget | 2023-24 | ONGOING | Victorian Treaty Authority ↗ |
|
Coalition of Peaks (Closing the Gap)
Government funding to the Coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peak Organisations — the body that negotiates Closing the Gap targets with governments. Continues …
|
Advisory Body | $4,200,000 | Federal Budget | 2023-24 | ONGOING | Closing the Gap ↗ |
|
Voice Design Group (Langton/Calma)
Co-chaired by Marcia Langton and Tom Calma. Tasked with designing the detailed model for the Voice body. Membership consisted primarily of Voice advocates. Taxpayer-funded.
|
Advisory Body | $3,200,000 | Federal Budget | 2022-23 | — | NIAA ↗ |
|
Referendum Engagement Group
Government-appointed group tasked with managing community engagement on the Voice proposal. Conducted consultations that critics argued were one-sided and did not adequately represent No case …
|
Advisory Body | $2,800,000 | Federal Budget | 2022-23 | — | NIAA, Senate estimates ↗ |
|
Special Envoy for Reconciliation (Pat Dodson)
Salary, staff, and travel for Pat Dodson's Special Envoy role, appointed by Albanese to implement the Uluru Statement. Taxpayer-funded advisory position given to a political …
|
Advisory Body | $850,000 | Federal Budget | 2022-23 | — | PM.gov.au ↗ |
Timeline — From Uluru to Ongoing State Action
26 May 2017
Uluru Statement from the Heart
First Nations delegates at the Uluru National Constitutional Convention issue the Uluru Statement calling for a constitutionally enshrined Voice to Parliament. Turnbull government rejects it as a 'third chamber'.
30 May 2019
Albanese becomes Opposition Leader
Anthony Albanese elected ALP leader. Commits to implementing the Uluru Statement in full, including a referendum on the Voice.
21 May 2022
Albanese wins federal election
Labor wins government. Albanese commits to holding a referendum on the Voice within his first term. Quotes the Uluru Statement in his victory speech.
30 Jul 2022
Albanese announces referendum commitment at Garma Festival
Albanese formally announces the government will hold a referendum and reveals the proposed constitutional amendment wording at the Garma Festival in Arnhem Land.
01 Mar 2023
Voice Design Group and Referendum Engagement Group established
Government establishes taxpayer-funded bodies to design the Voice model. Co-chaired by Marcia Langton and Tom Calma. Membership drawn primarily from Voice advocates.
$6,000,000
19 Jun 2023
Constitution Alteration Bill passes Parliament
The Constitution Alteration (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice) 2023 passes both houses of Parliament, triggering the referendum. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton opposes.
19 Jun 2023
Referendum Machinery Act amendments
Government amends the Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Act to remove the requirement for equal government funding of Yes and No pamphlets and information campaigns. Critics argue this tilted the playing field.
01 Aug 2023
Government awareness campaign launches ($27.4M)
Federal government launches $27.4 million 'awareness' campaign about the referendum. Critics argue the campaign is effectively pro-Voice advertising paid for by taxpayers.
$27,400,000
15 Sep 2023
Albanese: 'If you don't know, vote Yes'
Albanese urges undecided voters to vote Yes even if they don't understand the proposal. The statement is widely criticised as condescending and dismissive of legitimate concerns.
17 Sep 2023
Albanese speaks at Yes campaign rally
PM attends and speaks at major Yes campaign rally, using the authority of the Prime Minister's office to campaign for one side of a constitutional question.
28 Sep 2023
Langton accuses No voters of racism
Voice Design Group co-chair Marcia Langton accuses No voters of being motivated by racism and misinformation. The comments alienate undecided voters and damage the Yes campaign.
14 Oct 2023
Referendum Day: Voice DEFEATED 60.06% No
Australians decisively reject the Voice 60.06% to 39.94%. No state achieves a majority Yes vote. Only the ACT votes in favour. Largest referendum defeat since 1999. Total AEC cost: $364 million. Indigenous communities split — prominent indigenous leaders on both sides.
$364,000,000
15 Oct 2023
Albanese accepts result — promises 'no second referendum'
Albanese acknowledges the defeat but does not apologise for the divisive campaign or the $450M+ cost. Promises not to hold a second referendum. No announcement of an accountability review for the expenditure.
01 Nov 2023
Voice-related bodies continue operating
Despite the No vote, NIAA maintains indigenous advisory structures. Reconciliation Australia continues receiving federal grants. No accountability audit of referendum spending is announced.
01 Feb 2024
Victoria continues Treaty process despite national No vote
The Victorian Government under Jacinta Allan continues the Treaty process, First Peoples' Assembly, and Yoorrook Justice Commission. Victoria voted 54.3% No in the referendum, but the state government ignores this democratic mandate and continues implementing Voice-equivalent structures funded by state taxpayers.
$81,700,000
01 Jul 2024
Yoorrook Justice Commission continues (Victoria)
Victoria's truth-telling Royal Commission continues hearings and receiving funding. $31.4M total budget. Ongoing cost to Victorian taxpayers.
$31,400,000
01 May 2025
Budget 2025-26: Continued funding to Voice-aligned organisations
Federal Budget continues to allocate funding to Reconciliation Australia, Coalition of Peaks, and NIAA advisory structures. No reduction in funding despite the referendum result.
01 Jan 2026
Victorian Treaty negotiations continue — taxpayer cost mounting
The First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria and Victorian Treaty Authority continue negotiations on a state treaty. Total Victorian expenditure on Treaty-related bodies exceeds $80 million. The democratic mandate of the 2023 referendum continues to be ignored at the state level.
Victorian State Implementation — Ignoring the No Vote
Despite Victorians voting 54.3% No in the 2023 referendum,
the Allan Government continues to fund and implement Voice-equivalent structures
through the Victorian Treaty process. Total Victorian state spending:
$81,700,000.
| Body | Amount | Year | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria
Victorian Government funding for the First Peoples' Assembly — the elected indigenous representative body for the Victorian Treaty process. Established 2019 under Andrews, continued under Allan. Effectively a state-level Voice …
|
$41,800,000 | 2023-24 | ONGOING | First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria, Victorian Budget Papers ↗ |
|
Yoorrook Justice Commission (Victoria)
Royal Commission-style truth-telling body established by the Victorian Government as part of the Treaty process. Investigating historical and ongoing injustices against First Peoples in Victoria. Funded by Victorian taxpayers. Total …
|
$31,400,000 | 2023-24 | ONGOING | Yoorrook Justice Commission ↗ |
|
Victorian Treaty Authority
Independent body established to facilitate treaty negotiations between the Victorian Government and First Peoples' Assembly. Operational since 2023. Funded by Victorian taxpayers. Continues despite the national No vote.
|
$8,500,000 | 2023-24 | ONGOING | Victorian Treaty Authority ↗ |
Still Being Funded — Post-Referendum
These 8 funding lines continue to receive taxpayer funds
despite the referendum being defeated 60.06% to 39.94%.
National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) — ongoing operations
Total NIAA agency budget (not all Voice-specific, but the agency's mandate includes implementing indigenous policy frameworks that the Voice was intended to advise on). Agency continues operating at similar funding …
Attributable: Anthony Albanese
$4,300,000,000
2023-24
First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria
Victorian Government funding for the First Peoples' Assembly — the elected indigenous representative body for the Victorian Treaty process. Established 2019 under Andrews, continued under Allan. Effectively a state-level Voice …
Attributable: Jacinta Allan
$41,800,000
2023-24
Yoorrook Justice Commission (Victoria)
Royal Commission-style truth-telling body established by the Victorian Government as part of the Treaty process. Investigating historical and ongoing injustices against First Peoples in Victoria. Funded by Victorian taxpayers. Total …
Attributable: Jacinta Allan
$31,400,000
2023-24
Reconciliation Australia
Federal government grants to Reconciliation Australia (co-chaired by Tom Calma). Funding covers reconciliation programs, National Reconciliation Week, and advocacy. Organisation was a prominent Voice supporter. Continues to receive federal grants …
$15,600,000
2022-23
Reconciliation Australia — post-referendum grants
Continued federal funding to Reconciliation Australia despite the Voice referendum being defeated. Organisation continues to advocate for Voice-equivalent structures.
$12,400,000
2024-25
University research grants — Voice/indigenous constitutional recognition
ARC and other federal research grants to universities for constitutional recognition and Voice-related research projects. Includes grants to researchers who were prominent Voice advocates.
$8,700,000
2022-23
Victorian Treaty Authority
Independent body established to facilitate treaty negotiations between the Victorian Government and First Peoples' Assembly. Operational since 2023. Funded by Victorian taxpayers. Continues despite the national No vote.
Attributable: Jacinta Allan
$8,500,000
2023-24
Coalition of Peaks (Closing the Gap)
Government funding to the Coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peak Organisations — the body that negotiates Closing the Gap targets with governments. Continues to operate as an advisory …
$4,200,000
2023-24
Key Figures
Aaron Violi
Liberal Party
Opposition Chief Whip, Shadow Minister for the Digital Economy, Shadow Minister for Science/Technology/Innovation, Shadow Minister for Cyber Security
Anthony Albanese
Australian Labor Party
Prime Minister of Australia (31st)
Anthony Carbines
Australian Labor Party
Minister for Police, Minister for Crime Prevention, Minister for Racing
Dan Repacholi
Australian Labor Party
Member for Hunter
James Paterson
Liberal Party
Shadow Minister for Home Affairs and Cyber Security, Senator for Victoria
Related Political Statements
| Politician | Statement | Type | Status | Date | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anthony Albanese | The Voice referendum will unite Australia. | Claim | Broken | 15 Oct 2023 | — |
| James Paterson | The Voice is a well-intentioned but flawed proposal. It would create a constitutionally enshrined body with undefined powers and scope. There are better ways to improve outcomes for Indigenous Australians … | Policy Statement | Pending | 01 Aug 2023 | Media reporting ↗ |
| Dan Repacholi | I support the Voice to Parliament. It is about recognising First Nations people in our Constitution and giving them a say on matters that affect their lives. | Policy Statement | Pending | 01 Jun 2023 | APH Hansard / media ↗ |
The Question
"A Proposed Law: to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. Do you approve this proposed alteration?"
Result: Defeated — 39.94% Yes / 60.06% No
· Australian Electoral Commission ↗
Notes
First referendum since 1999 (republic). Largest No vote since the 1999 republic referendum. The campaign divided Australia along racial, geographic, and class lines.