Voice referendum result in Tasmania delivers Yes camp’s biggest shock

Tasmania has voted No in the voice referendum, 60pc to 40pc, shocking the Yes camp, which had seen the island state as a likely stronghold.

Noel Pearson campaigning with Bridget Archer MP in Launceston.

Tasmania has voted No in the voice referendum, 60pc to 40pc, shocking the Yes camp, which had seen the island state as a likely stronghold.

The result was described as ‘heartbreaking’ by figures in the Yes campaign, which had the benefit of a pro-voice premier, in Liberal Jeremy Rockliff.

No is leading in the northern electorate of Bass (62pc to 58pc), despite having a pro-voice Liberal federal MP, Bridget Archer, and in northwest Braddon (72pc to 28pc), and in sprawling Lyons (67pc to 32pc).

Only in Hobart-based Clark (60pc to 40pc) and southern Franklin (51pc to 48pc) is the Yes campaign ahead.

The result is devastating for the Yes campaign, which had seen Tasmania, as well as Victoria, as its strongest states and best chance of pulling off a national victory.

Yes campaigners had to battle opposition to the voice by several peak Indigenous groups, including the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre, Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania and the Circular Head Aboriginal Corporation.

The scale of the No win in Tasmania has shocked the Yes campaign, which had believed the island state was the most likely to vote Yes.

However, ALCT chair and No advocate Michael Mansell told The Australian the results in Tasmania and nationally were unsurprising, reflecting Indigenous opposition to the voice.

Mr Mansell called on Anthony Albanese to now progress Treaty and designated Indigenous seats in parliament.

“I’m hardly surprised – since July I could sense the public mood had change significantly,” Mr Mansell said.

“The public were aware there was no groundswell of Aboriginal support for the voice and that if they don’t see that groundswell they tend to go away from it.”

He called on the Prime Minister to harness the national support for Indigenous people and the 50,000 Yes volunteers to progress Treaty and designated Senate seats for Aboriginal people.

“The PM and the Yes campaign can’t just let people and those 50,000 volunteers walk away with a hollow, useless feeling,” he said.

The Yes vote is highest, as expected, in the state’s left-leaning southern electorates of Clark and Franklin, but has tanked in Launceston-based Bass, where Ms Archer’s strong voice advocacy has failed to persuade more than 40pc of voters.

Bass and Braddon are generally more conservative, rural and regional electorates but the scale of the No vote is significant and emphatic.

Ms Archer told The Australian she was “heartbroken”. “As a vocal supporter and campaigner in the Yes campaign, I am naturally disappointed but of course, respect the decision of voters in Bass,” Ms Archer said.

“My heartbreak is reserved for the many Indigenous members of our community who had fought for this recognition in the hope of a pathway to a better future.

“The cause of reconciliation has been set back, badly, but it doesn’t end here. I am committed to continuing to walk with our First Nations people and our entire community towards a united country, where the hopes and dreams of all who live here are given the opportunity to flourish.”