‘Democracy sausage’ sells for eye-watering $16 in Sydney

Voters are savouring the highlight of election day as they bite into sausage sizzles at polling booths across the state - but the cost in one location is causing outrage.

A “democracy sausage” is being sold for a whopping $16 at a Sydney venue with voters reporting mark ups across the state.

Barbecues are being fired up as voters across NSW head to the polls for the 2023 State Election. Voting booths opened at 8am on Saturday.

And while many voters have been indulging in the election treat, a fish shop in Sydney has caused controversy for how much its charging for its sausage sizzle.

Australian chef Josh Niland’s Fish Butchery is selling the humble sausage sizzle at his Waterloo and Paddington locations for $16.

The ‘sanga’ features a slice of white bread - with the crusts cut off - grilled onion and tomato jam.

Democracy sausage sells for $16. Picture: Instagram

The price caused outrage from some voters.

“Over priced democracy sausage, hard no,” one person wrote.

Democracy sausages are on offer across the state as part of the Australian tradition.

A clever menu has been crafted at Campdenville Public School in Newtown with offerings including the “cost of living” for $4 - with just sausage on a roll.

A haloumi and egg roll named the “How Newtown are you?” goes for $5.

While a classic B&E roll is selling as a “pork barrel with egg” and a plain white roll as “the Pauline”.

Extras can be added for $1 each and are titled “interest rate rises”.

The #DemocracySausage menu at Campdenville Public School, Newtown, NSW. 📸: @el_dourado#NSWVotes🗳️ pic.twitter.com/FBh14abb6W

— UTS Journalism (@CentralNewsUTS) March 25, 2023

And to ensure no one leaves empty-handed, a website has been set up to map out where democracy sausages are on offer.

The Democracy Sausage Website in an interactive map that shows all polling booth locations across NSW, with icons showing where sausages and cakes are available.

The website crowdsources real time data from Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Yay for #DemocracySausage at Newtown Public School #NSWVotes2023 🌭🧅🌭 pic.twitter.com/PuqGMrpucm

— Paula Kruger (@paula_kruger) March 24, 2023

Collaroy Plateau PS. 4/5. 🥓🍳
I was one of the first, fresh, bacon crispy not burnt, egg was cooked with a small amount of run, all the sauce options. Roll to filling ratio was the only thing that stopped it being a 5.#NSWVotes#NSWpol#Democracy#DemocracySausagepic.twitter.com/SYRWf5FxGo

— Matt Baseley (@MattBaseley) March 24, 2023

Voters can use the hashtag #democracysausage or send a direct message to the site to help track the availability of food.

On Saturday morning there were 397 polling booths with sausage sizzles available, the bulk of which were in Sydney’s east.

Some schools have added their own flare to the food offerings at their polling booths.

@DemSausage Albion Park Rail Public in the NSW seat of Kiama now live with bacon and egg rolls and sausâge rolls! #democracySausage ! #NSWvotes#NSWVotes2023#kiamavotespic.twitter.com/o7WR6UjX41

— Mark Whalan (@MWhalan) March 24, 2023

Burwood Public School is serving up BBQ pork and chicken buns, har gow (prawn dumplings) and siu mai (pork and prawn dumplings) as well as lychee drinks and lemon tea.

While at Summer Hill Public School the cake stall is offering up a selection of sweets with a tongue in cheek jokes targeted at state politicians.

Among them is a ‘Chris pepper-Minns crunch slice’, ‘Barilaro’s big apple crumble’, or a ‘Jo Haylen happy face biscuit’.

#DemocracySausage#nswelection#NSWvotes#voteteal#voteindependentpic.twitter.com/csjosZeRIt

— Andrew Miller (@andrewfjp) March 24, 2023

More than one million people have already entered their vote after early polling opened a week ago.

Dominic Perrottet, who became premier 18 months ago following Gladys Berejiklian resignation, is hoping to defy the odds and lead the Liberal-Nationals coalition to a record fourth term.

But Labor’s Chris Minns is likely to be NSW’s next premier with The Australian Newspoll, released on Saturday, pointing to Labor securing a narrow majority government.

The Coalition government holds 45 seat – 33 for the Liberals and 12 for the Nationals, Labor 36, the Greens three, while there are nine independents, including two former Liberal MPs.

Labor went into Saturday’s election needing to win at least nine seats to claim government. 

Good gear from the Waverley Public School P&C pic.twitter.com/M9Cq4FFbjl

— Murray Conallin (@MConallin) March 24, 2023

But Newspoll’s two-party-preferred result of 54.5-45.5 represents a 6.5 per cent swing against the Coalition, which would give Labor up to 10 extra seats.

That would give Labor the 47 seats for a majority without the support of the crossbench, but a uniform swing is doubtful.

In another boost for Labor, Mr Minns has scored a two-point leader as preferred premier over Mr Perrottet for the first time in this Newspoll. 

Mr Minns, who was relatively unknown going into the campaign, scored a big win in the final debate of the campaign on Wednesday, when he and Mr Perrottet met head-to-head in the Sky News / The Daily Telegraph People’s Forum.

Out of 100 undecided voters, 48 said they had been swayed to vote for the Opposition, 32 chose the Coalition and 20 remained undecided.

Both leaders were campaigning hard right up to the end on Friday.

Voting on Saturday closes at 6pm.Counting will start immediately and finish at 10.30pm and resume on Monday.