THE majority of voters across the Federal electorates of Blaxland, McMahon, Parramatta and Reid have rejected the ‘Voice to Parliament’, joining a resounding ‘No’ at last Saturday’s referendum. VOTERS have handed the Federal Government a resounding ’No’ to its Voice to Parliament with the four local Federal electorates rejecting the proposal at last Saturday’s referendum.
With just over 60 per cent of voters across the country rejecting the proposal, the ’No’ vote was stronger in the electorates of McMahon (65 per cent) and Blaxland (62 per cent), while the polls at Parramatta (54 per cent) and Reid (53 per cent) were much closer.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said while the result wasn’t what he had hoped for, he “absolutely” respected the decision of the Australian people.
Vowing to continue the Federal Government’s push to “do better for the First Australians”, he said “it is not the end of the road and is certainly not the end of our efforts to bring people together”.
“This moment of disagreement does not define us. And it will not divide us. We are not Yes voters or No voters. We are all Australians,” he said.
“And it is as Australians, together, that we must take our country beyond this debate without forgetting why we had it in the first place.”
Former Cumberland Mayor Councillor Steve Christou welcomed the “overwhelming” No vote.
“The overwhelming thumping handed down towards the Yes campaign signifies strongly the displeasure of ordinary Australians towards this divisive proposal,” he said.
“Today ordinary Australians chose equality and common sense over division and disharmony.”
A spokesperson for the Yes23 campaign said although deeply saddened by the result, they would continue the fight to make sure First Nations people were recognised, respected and listened to.
Voters reject ‘Voice’
