Hawthorn to press ahead with First Nations Advisory Committee despite Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament referendum being soundly crushed

Hawthorn Football Club says it will press ahead with establishing a First Nations Advisory Sub Committee, despite Australians as a whole rejecting the idea of a Voice to Parliament.

The seven-month campaign to the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum is over with the idea being overwhelmingly rejected by voters in every single Australian state.

Hawthorn, who were last year rocked by allegations of historic racism at the club, released a statement on Sunday to acknowledge the result of the referendum.

The statement explained that the club supported a First Nations Voice to parliament, and that despite the weekend’s result it would remain committed to establishing its own First Nations Advisory Sub Committee.

‘Despite the result, Hawthorn remains committed to self-determination and to ensure that there is First Nations engagement, participation and voice on all matters that affect First nations players and staff,’ said the statement. 

‘The club is in the process of finalising a First Nations Advisory Sub Committee which will help guide all decision making the club makes in regards to First Nations initiatives.

‘The club sees this as an important step in putting First Nations people at the centre of all matters that impact them. 

‘As part of the club’s continued education programs, all Hawthorn staff and players are on a journey to learn about First Nations history and culture…’

In May, the AFL announced no adverse findings against Alastair Clarkson, Chris Fagan or Jason Burt over the Hawthorn racism allegations.

But the matter is far from over, with ongoing legal action looking inevitable. 

In an explosive twist to the case, four First Nations families in the centre of the scandal have since gone public after taking their case to the Australian Human Rights Commission.

Cyril Rioli and his wife Shannyn Ahsam-Rioli have penned an open letter alongside Carl Peterson and Jermaine Miller-Lewis, Jermaine’s wife Montanah and the club’s former indigenous manager Leon Egan to outline their experiences at the footy club, which has been accused of racist conduct.

Hawthorn were last year rocked by allegations of historic racism at the club

Clarkson, Fagan and Burt have all denied any wrongdoing since the allegations were first made via an ABC report.