I think your comment sums up what a large portion, more than 60% of the country, felt about that referendum.

And thats the unfortunate thing because the Voice was none of what you've suggested.

At its simplest it was, 'hey politicians! You can't get rid of this government department because things are awkward for you on the news.' It was a more complicated, and interesting proposal than this, but that part drove necessary constitutional change and thus required a referendum.

But the change was declined. Most reasons i suspect have their root at: Lack of engagement with the subject matter due to unclear/tenuous benefits to their own lives. Not to mention a fair amount of ambivalence rising to dislike of the Aboriginal peoples of Australia in the broader community.

Noel Pearson's statement, "we are a much-unloved people." was and is very poignant.

This atmosphere meant anything, and i mean anything, (even contradictory statements from the same person days apart), could be thrown around as possible effects of the referendum and people would latch onto those reasons as an answer then carry on with their lives.

Sorry, i've rambled a bit. There was a lot to it.