Always Was, Always Will Be: The Campaign for Justice and Recognition Continues

by Thomas Mayo

Since the referendum, supporters and volunteers have been asking for guidance as to how to continue to support Indigenous recognition. Mayo, a leader of the Yes 23 campaign and co-author of the bestselling The Voice to Parliament Handbook, has produced a new audiobook to answer that question.

Always Was, Always Will Be is essential listening for those people who want to keep the positive momentum going and the number of allies growing. It's for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people who are ready to do everything they can to close the gap.

Mayo 'The book starts with the ingredients for hope, it will cover the lessons from the past, and ultimately, Always Was, Always Will Be is about the future we want to see – one where there is justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.'

For the thousands of people who have been feeling sad, empty and powerless since October 2023, Always Was, Always Will Be aims to be a positive rallying cry. This will map the path toward next steps on how to create a fairer Australia.

2025, Australian Book Industry Award (ABIA) General Non-Fiction Book of the Year, Short-listed

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, Australia, Audiobook, History, Book Club

Audible Audio

Published September 3, 2024

About the author

Thomas Mayo is a Kaurareg Aboriginal and Kalkalgal, Erubamle Torres Strait Islander man. He is the Assistant National Secretary of the Maritime Union of Australia. Thomas is a signatory of the Uluru Statement from the Heart and has been a leading advocate since its inception in May 2017. He is the Chairperson of the Northern Territory Indigenous Labor Network and a director on the Australians for Indigenous Constitutional Recognition board. Thomas is the author of six books, including the bestselling The Voice to Parliament Handbook: All The Details You Need with eminent journalist Kerry O’Brien (Hardie Grant, 2023).

Reviews

[Callum's Column · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mayo was one of the most prominent advocates for the unfortunately unsuccessful Voice to Parliament referendum in late 2023. He co-wrote "The Voice to Parliament Handbook" with Kerry O'Brien and has written dozens of articles advancing the cause of constitutional recognition of First Nations people in Australia. This book continues that advocacy and seeks to answer, "what next?" for those campaigning for justice and recognition. Mayo weaves his personal story, First Nations history, and insights from other prominent activists to advance a positive message of hope: setbacks in First Nations rights always preceded their eventual gain.

This book was underwhelming. I expected to gain novel insights into the referendum campaign, some critical insight on why the Yes Campaign failed, and innovative tactics for future advocacy. Instead, much of the first half of the book rehashes the history of First Nations' struggle, which feels like too much space in a book about the next steps and is of barely 100 pages. Analysis of the intricacies of contemporary Australian race politics could have been more in-depth, and one is left with little clarity on why "bad actors" of the No Campaign were so much more effective than their counterparts. Moreover, the "next steps" advice felt somewhat generic, with suggestions that could apply to almost any campaign.

Mayo contends that legislating a Voice is the path forward. I disagree. The point of a constitutionally enshrined Voice was to avoid the pitfalls of legislated First Nations bodies that have been created and abolished over the years, and anything related to a federal Voice is anathema to most voters. First Nations advancement lies in treaty. Establish it first in Victoria and the ACT where left-leaning parties are powerful. Post-treaty, engage in diligent governance, and advance it as a viable model for other jurisdictions. For non-First Nations people, discard the "they go low, we go high" mantra and take on more of the heavy lifting. We have a moral duty to step up.

[Joanie222 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and informative read.

[Peta · Rating 5 out of 5]

As one of the 6 million people who voted yes, this book was a fantastic way to feel reinvigorated and motivated to keep working towards genuine reconciliation. There are chapters about learning from the past, a guide to protocol, awareness and respect, what next, resources, etc.
I loved it and have learnt a lot from this book. I highly recommend and it can be listened to as an audiobook as well.

[Kate Mckillinit · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me 6 weeks to read this book of 160 pages. It contains a lot of truths which required time to digest and reflect upon. But, above all, it was hopeful and uplifting. It provides a path forward from the 2023 referendum and a million ideas to further my own personal growth.

[Katie Goulas · Rating 5 out of 5]

everyone should read this. I thought I knew a lot about the history, but I learned so much more from this book. so much hope and perspective to be gained from this book. Thomas Mayo is brilliant

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a practical, informative and overall hopeful book on how Australia can move towards a more equitable place with our first nations people, even after the Voice to parliament was lost last year.

My takeaways include the terms "bad actors", for those that are amongst us to divide us, and "the cult of forgetfulness", for what the majority of Australians choose to forget about our past and the way we treated first nations people.

[Georgie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books that really every Australian should read. Not only does Mayo offer realistic and individual suggestions for moving forward, but he clearly and succinctly explores how it is that we arrived at this stage. How it is that progress in closing the gap and community initiatives were destroyed by governments such as Howard’s and Abbott’s. Educational, heartbreaking but yet inspiring and hopeful. This man is a national treasure.

[Danial Yazdani · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have realised that I am slowly becoming a big fan of Mayo’s work and his writing style. It is just as analytical as it is from the heart; writers can sometimes get lost in committing to only one of these tones but Mayo is able to seamlessly weave the two together when discussing a post Voice referendum Australia. Mind you, I was once again reminded of how disappointed I am to call myself Australian when reading this book given the unjust result of the vote. Mayo is strategic in addressing the myths and misinformation that skewed the vote so easily despite having little to do with the reconciliatory outcome the majority of First Nations Australians and their allies wanted. My only criticism of this book is that it was slightly sparse in offering practical feedback in detail. Case studies and courses of action that were more fleshed out could have been used to optimise Mayo’s general call to action for those still wanting to campaign for a fairer Indigenous Australia.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such an excellent resource for anyone wanting to become a better ally.

A clear, easy-to-read guide on how we can assist the campaign for justice and recognition. Highly recommend!

[Olwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome text that deftly explains Aboriginal culture and perspectives.

[Ashleighm4031 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Accessible, actionable and hopeful.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book outlining ways we can continue to support and campaign for justice and recognition for Australia’s First Peoples. Looking forward to taking back to work what I learnt from this smart and accessible book.

[Jordan Wickham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly accessible and palatable resource on Indigenous experience, specifically following the Voice Referendum.
Mayo is brilliant at approaching a range of heavy topics in a way that continues to inspire and uplift. Should be mandatory reading for everybody living in this country!

[Anna Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book. A generous, hopeful perspective after the disappointment of the 2023 referendum result. Lots of practical, positive ideas for all Australians to take action towards reconciliation and justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

[Emmaby Barton Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

was really keen to read this but found it a bit underwhelming and much less focussed on the voice/its aftermath than i expected. still worth a read but i wish it had given more insight into the referendum itself. the two main takeaways for me: i still have a lot of history to learn and the importance of familiarity

“we are a much unloved people. we are perhaps the ethnic group Australians feel least connected to. we are not popular and we are not personally known to many australians. few have met us and a small minority count us as friends. and despite never having met any of us and knowing very little about us…. australians hold and express strong views about us, the great proportion of which is negative and unfriendly” - noel pearson

- a point mayo repeatedly emphasised is that familiarity matters: “there is power in familiarity. it protects people from fear… when we do not know someone, we are easily misled to think the worst of them”
- found the history section very eye-opening - realised that while i know a lot less about the history of australia/the treatment of first nations peoples than i realised. i still am very ignorant! for example, regarding The Intervention in the Northern Territory by Howard, the implementation of the CDP under Abbott, the various walk-offs, the laws involving protectors/missions, how much of our country was built on the un/derpaid labour of first nations peoples
- i’d (very ignorantly) never considered aboriginal people as having been slaves before despite being aware (though only minimally) of some of the practices which, now that i think about it, clearly are slavery - shows the importance of language
- i think i also had a big disconnect between being aware of many of these things but not being aware of the extent of them and/or it not quite clicking that they were not only allowed, but explicitly enshrined in law and the constitution etc? if that makes sense…

some other thoughts
- it will never stop shocking and infuriating me just how many blatant lies/misinformatin/propaganda were allowed to be shared by the no campaign and i cannot understand how doing so is not illegal
- was interested to learn that it isn’t suggested to include an acknowledgement to future/emerging elders in acknowledgements of country and that this is frowned upon https://www.themonthly.com.au/issue/2...
- acknowledgement of country plaques for your home https://kinyalerrk.com.au/collections... or https://mararadesigns.com.au/products...
- cultural load - aware of the concept but not heard of the specific term - “the work that is asked of indigenous workers, such as doing acknowledgements of country, answering questions or giving advice about indigenous matters, and participating in committees and organising events which are not part of their job”

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr Mayo was one of the principal authors of the Uluru Statement of the Heart and one of the primary voices of same advocating for what ultimately was a failed effort to amend Australia's constitution to recognize the Aboriginal peoples existence in said document. This book is an exploratory essay of making it clear what happened was a continuation of past history towards the Aboriginal people of this land as well as suggestions of what people can do to make things right. On the history side of things, he points to many excellent books as must reads in the text and the bibliography, but he also specifically mentions a couple of prime examples such as the cruelty (what now would be considered a war crime - my emphasis) of putting the warrior defending his nation: Pemulwuy into hospital after he was captured, gravely wounded, so that doctors could heal his wounds and get his strength back enough so they could hang him as an example to others. Miraculously he escaped and was eventually shot by a settler wanting the reward of 20 gallons of rum to deliver Pemulway's head, which was sent to Dr Banks in London. The fact that the now 'owner' of Pemulwuy's head refuses to return the head so it can receive the proper burial rights of his people is an illustration of the cruelty and continued colonialism exercised by the royalty of England over Australia. And Mr Mayo points out other leaders who defended their countries against the invaders: such as Jandamarra, Truganini, Dundalli, Tarenorerer and more along with the books you can read to learn their stories and history. In the fractious movement towards reconciliation, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd issued a public apology from Parliament on 13 FEB 2008. It was a powerful address, which I was fortunate to watch on TV. The occasion was marked by one front bench parliamentarian of the opposition who refused to attend: one Peter Dutton. While he later apologised for his actions, it was a false apology as he had not learned from his mistakes and instead spread lies against the referendum including enlisting an Aunt Jemima and an Uncle Tom to do his dirty work. This book is a must read for those whose hearts were broken when the referendum failed, but also even more of a must read for those who voted No.

[Amy Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

.....📚 𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 📚.....

Always Was Always Will Be by Thomas Mayo is ultimately a book about hope. Written after the heartbreaking 2023 Voice to Parliament referendum outcome, Thomas outlines the continued campaign for justice and recognition.

Indigenous advocate and campaigner, Thomas Mayo, draws on his decades of experience to answer the question, "what's next?" following the unsuccessful vote. He answers this with compassion and kindness for all Australians, through clear factual explanations and his personal experience, to unite us all who are campaigning for a nation where First Nations Australians can expect the same quality of life as their non-Indigenous friends. Mayo's road map to change illustrates how hope and motivation are the core ingredients to realise the change needed. He guides the reader through the historical context that led us here and shares practical information to assist the reader to continue working towards the recognition and justice for First Nations people in Australia. This book is for the millions who have been feeling sad and powerless following the 2023 vote and the polarised politics of today.

Like many Yes voters, I was dismayed by the results of the 2023 referendum. Watching the fear mongering of the 'No' campaign group and the increase in overt racism of not just the far right, but other everyday Australians since the vote, it has felt like we as a nation have gone backwards, and that a road to reconciliation is no longer within reach. But reading Thomas Mayo's book and seeing his messages of hope and motivation, I know that there is hope still for a better future. This is a book for those who want to be part of the solution. It's a book for the over 6 million Australians that voted Yes. It's for the millions of other Australians that were unsure and listened to the No campaigns "if you don't know, vote no" messages. It's for all the other No voters that want to understand more about what justice and recognition could look like for First Nations people. And finally, it's for the generations of young Australians that didn't get a say in the referendum,  but want to work towards a better Australia.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always admired Thomas Mayo's positive attitude to life and his hope for the future.
I listened to him read this as an audiobook and was so impressed I bought a personal copy to reread sections to consider what comes next.
As a non indigenous Australian, I feel frustrated and angry about how past and present Governments refuse to act on recognition, reconciliation and justice for First Australians.


In Always Was, Always Will Be, bestselling author Thomas Mayo investigates ‘what's next?’ for reconciliation and justice in Australia after the failed October 2023 Voice to Parliament referendum.
Since the referendum, supporters and volunteers have been asking for guidance as to how to continue to support Indigenous recognition. Mayo, a leader of the Yes 23 campaign and co-author of the bestselling The Voice to Parliament Handbook, has penned a new book to answer that question.
Always Was, Always Will Be is essential reading for those people who want to keep the positive momentum going and the number of allies growing. It’s for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people who are ready to do everything they can to close the gap.
On writing the book Mayo ‘The book starts with the ingredients for hope, it will cover the lessons from the past, and ultimately, Always Was, Always Will Be is about the future we want to see – one where there is justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.’
For the thousands of people who have been feeling sad, empty and powerless since last October, Always Was, Always Will Be aims to be a positive rallying cry. This book will map the path toward next steps on how to create a fairer Australia.

[Hutch Hussein · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you were disappointed and disillusioned post last year’s Voice Referendum then this book is just the tonic. Thomas Mayo has written a roadmap for walking the talk to achieve justice and recognition for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples. It's also a handbook for the ongoing campaign that didn't stop with the Referendum - for how to keep building the critical mass of allies necessary for change and future campaigns. A book full of passionate ideas, possible answers/ evidence to counter myths, positive hope and most importantly practical actions. Some subversive and subterrean, some ordinary and everyday and some bold and brash. At all times, it's enlightening, inspiring and heartening and a reminder that there's still more we can all do in solidarity as allies to First Nations people. Read it, give and gift it to your family and friends and let's keep building a movement of change.

[Loren Petitpierre · Rating 3 out of 5]

i liked the start if the book - finally a non-fiction book that is structured appropriately. i liked the setting the historical backdrop (but the acknowledgement you can’t flatten history). there will be many key takeways, the biggest one being the distinction between VOICE, TREATY and TRUTH-TELLING. Mayor is able to explain well and get people in the know - consider the No campaign won off lack of knowledge.
however i’m not sure i liked the end ? the book promised looking forward and though it kept building i never got to a concrete analysis. also i think there is room for a more radical reimagining. rather than trying again with another referendum for a Voice, shouldn’t we be trying bigger steps ? rather than Yes, a ‘Yes and…’

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an immigrant Brit in Australia right now (6 months) I can’t quite put into words how I feel after finishing Thomas Mayo’s book. I have a mixture of emotions but I know I have been left feeling educated, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Pre NAIDOC week I was perusing the Dymocks in Sydney’s CBD and anyone who knows me knows I have a book addiction. I didn’t NEED another book but after I read the blurb I HAD to get it. I then left NSW for TAS for work. I have decided to gift the book to someone I work with who I met a few weeks ago, I have taken photos of all the resources at the back for my personal future use. I recommend this to everyone.

[Witchetty Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic look on the campaign for justice and recognition. It’s a look at hope and not giving up. As Thomas says, Hope is a necessary ingredient for change.
He goes through the history which was a great refresher.
It was an interesting read. As someone who has read his previous works and followed some of his stuff. It was good to hear a historical overview, an update and personal experience and where we are at now.

I will never know enough about this nor give up in knowing we can do better. I look forward to listening, learning and growing. 🧡

[Kristine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mayo wrote this book immediately after defeat of the vote to enshrine an indigenous voice in the Australian Constitution and to point a way forward for those disappointed by the result. I really liked the insights into Thomas Mayo the person and his motivations. I didn't like the absence of anything 'new' for supporters to do to help progress the cause. Perhaps it was still too soon for me to read this book (almost 18 months after the event) as it left me feeling flat and hopeless. An interesting read for those who were not immersed in the referendum campaign or wanting to learn more about the Aboriginal people and how to support them in their quest for recognition.

[Alli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thomas Mayo deconstructs the No vote in 2023 referendum against the constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, and what's next for people who supported Yes. He outlines his history of advocacy and political activism for workers and First Nations rights. I appreciated the reminder about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, but would have liked a bit more depth about contemporary politics.

The language is easy to read and recommendations practical and overall the tone is hopeful about how individuals can support more equitable Australia.

[Fay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well worded, calm review of Aboriginal contact with white colonists up to the modern day. Lots of great suggestions as to ways to make connection with Aboriginal people and raise awareness of the consistent disadvantage they are subject to, the intergenerational trauma they are subject to and that they need to be listened to and proactive approaches are required to help improve the relationship.
It was a book of hope ... and that is what we need.

[Tamara Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars for an inspirational read

I found this to be a powerful and enlightening read. Heartbreaking in places but also inspiring to act and learn more.
I loved hearing stories of real people, giving a deeper understanding of their struggles. I liked that the author also provided resources, book recommendations and websites. Definitely inspired after reading this and would recommend to others

[Mal B · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read—short, simple, and to the point. It explains the history, policy, and government failures across generations (relating to Indigenous peoples), and how we now move forward beyond the No vote to continue the fight, as we always have. It offers hope where, for so long, there seemed to be none.

[Di · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to Thomas Mayo reading this but it would be better as a hard copy book. The book is really a handbook and call for action after the disappointment of the failed 2023 referendum for a Voice to parliament. Thomas talks about the disappointment of the aboriginal community, gives a succinct summary of race relations in Australia since 1788 and then provides a plan to move forward.

[Beth Sunderland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thomas Mayo does it again, and fills a book with so much history, knowledge and hope. He speaks with such grace after the referendum. I always love how he includes endless resources from books to movies to businesses and festivals. If anyone ever says “but what can I do?” Point them to Thomas Mayo’s books because he literally spells it out.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a compassionate call to continue action. Reading it twelve months on from the referendum reminds me that there is work to do, and it is not time to give up. Read this, be encouraged and energised. This book provides a lot of ideas and resources for allies.