How might the First Nations Voice to Parliament referendum affect Australia's international reputation?

• In late September, American rap legend MC Hammer made a spectacular intervention into Australia’s upcoming referendum to establish a Voice to Parliament for First Nations people.
• In a tweet, he urged Australians to “repair the breach”.
• Hammer’s tweet garnered some 1.1 million views, 1,300 retweets and 5,700 likes.

International attention on the vote

• On October 14, Australians will vote whether to amend the Constitution to establish a new advisory body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people called the Voice to Parliament.
• The new body would provide advice and make representations to parliament and the government on any issues relating to First Nations people.
• International attention on the Voice for Parliament referendum peaked on August 30 when Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the voting date.

Which countries are the most interested?

• New Zealand is also following the debate, with more than 2,000 mentions, as well as politicians in the Pacific.
• And while there are public reports on Australian attitudes to other countries, there is much less research on how people in other countries think about Australians.
• The lack of research on Australia’s reputation in other countries will make it difficult to assess the impact of the Voice result.
• What does seem likely, however, is that a “no” result will be weaponised by other countries against Australia.

Australia’s foreign policy

• The referendum result could also affect Australia’s ability to employ a foreign policy approach that seeks to “elevate” Indigenous people and issues.
• In 2021, Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade released an Indigenous Diplomacy Agenda committed to reconciliation in Australia and supporting Indigenous rights globally.
• She argued a foreign service that properly represents the diversity of Australia has “a genuine competitive advantage”.
• As a result, a “yes” vote could provide Australian diplomats with “the momentum” to embed a First Nations foreign policy into their practice.