TRANSCRIPT
- Indigenous leaders begin a 'week of silence' to grieve the referendum outcome
- Police deployed to monitor pro-Palestinian rallies in Sydney and Melbourne
- Australia on top after beating Samoa in their Pacific Championship clash
-
First Nations campaigners have called for "a week of silence" to grieve the outcome of the referendum.
Aunty Esme Bamblett from Victoria's First Peoples' Assembly says the next week will be used to support Indigenous communities, with healing sessions held to bring people together.
"So it is not time for recriminations or analysis even. It is time to be with what has been. The struggles of the campaign, the hurt that has been caused. The disinformation that has been spread. Just to let that be for a week. Then to recognise that the commitment for the rights for Aboriginal people and their right to have a part in the things that affect them in this country be taken seriously - because that is not going to go away."
_
The Greens party have called for a $250 million commitment for a national Truth and Justice commission, after Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum result.
The proposal to change the constitution was defeated, with 60 per cent nationally voting No, and 40 per cent voting Yes.
Greens leader Adam Bandt says the misinformation from No campaigners proved too much to overcome, and the important thing now is to avoid wallowing in the result - and instead take action.
"Through a process of truth telling where people are able to step forward to hear their stories. We can now start to come together - and lay the groundwork for lasting First Nations justice and reconciliation in this country."
_
The highest Yes votes were recorded in the inner-city seats, including in many electorates represented by the so-called teal independent MPs.
The Melbourne seat of Kooyong - previously held by Morrison Government Treasurer Josh Frydenberg - was one of those electorates.
MP Monique Ryan says Yes voters should take heart from the Australians who voted Yes - adding that work must continue to advance reconciliation.
"What we have seen is that in those communities where there was a real effort, what we have seen is that in those communities where there was a real effort for change, where people got together and had many, many conversations, the yes vote did get up - it was successful. And that will be a model for other communities - for other electorates in the future. And we will take that forward. Because we have learnt that we can only address disinformation and lies face-to-face with respectful conversations.”
_
Riot officers have been deployed in Sydney to monitor a pro-Palestinian rally.
Hundreds have rallied in Sydney's Hyde Park to show solidarity with people in Gaza.
At the event, speakers from the Palestine Action Group denounced what they called a "tiny minority" who made anti-Semitic chants at a protest outside the Opera House last week.
Rally co-organiser Fahad Ali says it is important for the New South Wales premier, Chris Minns, to acknowledge what he called the "thousands" turning up in support for calls to end the violence.
Meanwhile, thousands of people have gathered in Melbourne's CBD to also show support for those in Gaza.
This attendee says he is concerned for members of his family who are among the 1.1 million people living in northern Gaza who been warned by the Israeli military to evacuate south for their safety.
"It is very hard to communicate with people in Gaza now, but I have family, I have cousins. My grandfather is buried there. I have got history in the city. My parents have history with the city. And we would like to see the people of Gaza and the rest of Palestine being freed from the occupation."
-
Foreign Minister Penny Wong says the federal government is arranging for "multiple flights" to leave Tel Aviv within hours to evacuate Australian citizens who want to leave Israel.
On Saturday night, two flights were cancelled due to security concerns.
Senator Wong options are being arranged to take Australians first to Dubai, before considering the plan to get them to Australia.
It is understood RAAF military planes are on standby - and commercial options are being discussed.
So far, 800 Australians had managed to depart Israel since the onset of the war, including on Qantas flights to London.
The federal government says hundreds more have registered for repatriation flights.
-
In rugby league,
Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga says Australia's win against Samoa has given them a tremendous boost in their Pacific Cup campaign.
Australia defeated Samoa 38-12 in their home game in four years in Townsville.
Meninga says the team is celebrating - and the plan is to maintain that quality of performance.
"Oh, it was excellent, we had a great start obviously. And the players had a fantastic week together. And those first 25 minutes were excellent. And yeah, I'm very happy for them to get that result. It was a good win in the end."
