The referendum, held on Saturday, October 14, saw the majority of Australians and every state and territory except the ACT reject the idea of an Indigenous Voice to Parliament.
Mr Birrell reiterated that recognising and advancing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities remained a shared goal of all sides of politics.
“Just as I did before the referendum, I will continue to work with Indigenous communities in Nicholls to achieve better outcomes and economic empowerment,” he said.
“I continue to support promoting legislated positive discrimination where it assists Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in gaining opportunities in education, careers, and economic participation.”
Mr Birrell said equality was a key part of Australia’s representative democracy, and Australians had rejected a constitutionally enshrined instrument of government based on race.
Mr Birrell noted that the debate leading up to the referendum was toxic at times and that it was necessary to take time to heal.
“This debate has been very difficult and not always respectful of the premise that decent people from diverse backgrounds and races who want to see reconciliation can have different views on how to achieve it,” he said.
“Necessarily ... there will be a period of reflection; wounds must be healed, and as Australians, we must forge a new path based on mutual respect and shared ambition.”
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