Sydney’s battlers lead the way for wave of No votes in NSW

Voters in traditional Labor ‘battler’ seats of Sydney led the No vote, with one Western Sydney Mayor saying the referendum was not a priority for families struggling with the cost of living.

Voters in the traditional Labor “battler” seats of Sydney led the No vote, seemingly proving what critics of the Voice had said: that it was not a priority at a time when many families were struggling with the cost of living.

The No vote was also high in rural and regional seats, including Labor electorates such as Hunter, Eden-Monaro and Gilmore.

The southern Sydney seat of Barton, held by Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney, also voted No.

But in seats such as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s electorate of Grayndler, the eastern Sydney electorate of Wentworth and North Sydney it was a different story, with Yes dominating.

On Saturday night, with almost 1.2 million votes counted, 57 per cent had come back as No.

Devastated Yes supporters react to the result at Yes2023 function at Wests Ashfield Leagues Club. Picture: Getty Images

But while Labor seats were not returning Yes majorities, the No campaigners within the Liberal Party would have had their joy tempered by the fact that voters in the Teal seats the party is desperate to reclaim at the next federal election overwhelmingly backed a Voice.

The strong No vote came despite NSW Liberal leader Mark Speakman going against federal leader Peter Dutton by declaring he supported a Voice — with many of his MPs later also following suit.

A strong Yes vote in the inner west was not replicated around the country, or even NSW. Picture: Getty Images

Only the Sydney seat of Reid, which neighbours Grayndler, was looking tight, with No just ahead at 8pm.

Fairfield Mayor Frank Carbone, whose local government area covers parts of the Labor seats of Werriwa and McMahon and independent seat of Fowler, said the result showed Mr Albanese was “disconnected” with the people of Western Sydney.

He also said the government had misjudged the timing of the Voice.

“It is very hard for a government to ask people who are struggling to put food on the table, pay the rent or get a roof over their head to think about other struggles,” he said.

“It might be OK in his electorate but in the western suburbs, people are working two jobs, struggling to put food on the table, to pay the rent.

“We all want to help the Indigenous community, but the Prime Minister needs to understand that it’s his job to make sure he helps everyone in need, no matter where they live or where they come from. We are all Australians.”

The victory for No in NSW came despite those opposing a Voice struggling to find volunteers to help out at booths.

No campaigner Warren Mundine told the ABC it was particularly hard to find volunteers in NSW.

“It was very difficult for us,” he said. “We got one or two, or some places just one then none, so we had to fix that.”

Before the results were known, Yes23 campaign director Dean Parkin and ABC panellist said votes in support of a Voice should be viewed as “the creation of a base … in support of a Voice and in support of Indigenous progress.”

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Originally published as Sydney’s battlers lead the way for wave of No votes in NSW