NSW divided on Voice: What you told us about how you’ll vote
We’ve taken the temperature of voters from Dubbo to Darlinghurst to see how everyday Aussies are planning to vote in the Voice referendum. We found a state divided.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
If there’s one thing NSW can agree on, it’s that we are divided on the Voice.
The Sunday Telegraph conducted a temperature check of voter sentiment towards The Voice from Dubbo to Darlinghurst, asking 167 voters if they had decided whether to declare Yes or No on their ballots later this year.
Our reporters found a vocal majority of Yes supporters in the city, inner-city suburbs and north shore.
However voters were more split in Western Sydney and the regions.
The 89 who said they would vote Yes were overwhelmingly driven by their moral compass — many responding they were voting Yes because it “feels right” or would make “positive change”.
“I’ll be voting a big yes on principle and because of the essence of what this vote and the change represents,” 25-year-old Newcastle nurse Lachlan Springfield said.
“I think there are a lot of people who are confused as to what this actually means and I wouldn’t be surprised if it was a narrow margin or ultimately a No result.”
No voters were less likely to be willing to be named, with many worried their concerns about the Voice proposal would see them branded a racist or conservative.
“I’m undecided. I haven’t educated myself enough on what it’s about, but I did hear Senator Price saying on TV it was divisive. I think it’s a waste of money. I’m scared of sharing my view for being labelled a racist,” a woman in her 50s from the Central Coast said.
Of the 39 No voters we spoke to, many said they were voting No because they didn’t understand the proposal and were worried it would divide people.
“I believe it will make cultures divide rather than come together,” Terry Scott said in Penrith.
In Toongabbie there were similar concerns: “I think it’s going to divide things but I’m happy for others to vote otherwise,” Belinda Grimmond, 43 said.
Many No voters cited concerns that Indigenous people themselves don’t want the Voice, with some Indigenous and non-Indigenous voters telling us they were conflicted.
“I am undecided but leaning towards No because from the sources I have read which include Indigenous voices, I am not convinced that the Voice will be effective in enacting change, and the resources spent for The Voice could go towards initiatives that are more effective,” Gelila Barrett, 24, from Sydney’s inner west said.
A lot of what I’ve heard (about the referendum) are just slogans, with little or no substance to them,” Wiradjuri elder Riverbank Frank, from Dubbo, said.
We spoke to 39 undecided voters and many had no idea about the Voice, or were undecided but leaning No.
“I am literally googling what you mean. I would probably vote No, to be honest,” a Penrith mum who wished to remain anonymous said.
Recent polls have shown the Yes campaign is struggling to win over hearts and minds, with the No campaign cutting through with more force.
However Penrith hair salon owner Nima Nicholas said he changed his mind completely once it was explained to him fully.
“I asked my lawyer and he explained it well,” Mr Nicholas said.
“He said ‘it’s not about giving power or money to Aboriginals, it’s about giving them a voice … If somebody wants to make a decision about them they have a right to make a comment or suggestion to the government or parliament.
“It changed my mind. I am going to vote yes now.”
More Coverage
Originally published as NSW divided on Voice: What you told us about how you’ll vote
Man stabbed in western Sydney
A man has been stabbed and another person has been arrested after an incident in Bass Hill this evening.
Plans to boost capacity after sellout Everest
After over 49,000 people flocked to Royal Randwick for The Everest, Racing NSW and Australian Turf Club are planning to increase crowd capacity in 2025.