Voice to Parliament in Geraldton: No voters say lack of information and bungled heritage laws put them off

Voters in Durack delivered a resounding rejection in the Voice to Parliament referendum, with almost three-quarters voting No — the third highest No result in WA. The Yes campaign was already lost by the time votes started to be counted in Western Australia. By the end of counting on Saturday night, 94 out of 110 polling places in Durack had been voted, with 72.97 per cent voting No and 27.03 per cent voting Yes. Thirteen out of 15 Federal electorates in WA voted against enshrining an Indigenous Voice into the Constitution. The highest No vote in Canning at 76.89 per cent followed by O’Connor, at 75.89. In WA, by 10am on Sunday, the vote split is 60.48 per cent on the No side and 39.52 per cent on the Yes side. Only Queensland and South Australia recorded a higher No vote. Nationally, the vote was 63.43 per cent to 36.57 per cent, with all six states veering to the No side in convincing fashion. Geraldton MLA Lara Dalton, a vocal Yes supporter, said she was “deeply saddened” by the referendum result. “I... had hoped for a different outcome. The result does not reflect the very positive attitude volunteers brought to the Yes campaign, but now it is up to all of us to look to the future and how we can support the journey towards reconciliation and closing the gap in our country,” she said. Geraldton for Yes captain Michael Rootes echoed the comments that local Yes volunteers had conducted themselves with the “utmost integrity, dignity and greatest respect”. “This isn’t the outcome that our volunteers and supporters in Geraldton were expecting,” he said. “Over the past four months we have talked with our families, friends and the wider community about how constitutional recognition and an advisory body to government would correct the constitution to recognise the first inhabitants of the land and to overcome challenges to close the gap. “This positive attitude that everyone brought to the Yes movement was what helped us grow and believe in a better future, for all Australians. “Many of us are deeply saddened and disheartened by this result and after taking some time to heal and reflect we will continue our campaign for recognition and justice.” Before polls closed, Geraldton voters and volunteers backing the No campaign say the lack of information and State Government’s bungled Aboriginal heritage laws left a sour taste in their mouth that influenced how they voted. Polling booths across Geraldton were busy soon after they opened at 8am, but soon after only saw voters trickle through as the mercury climbed past 38C at lunch time. No volunteers were not present at some Geraldton booths, as their campaign’s confidence proved to be well-founded, with the Voice to Parliament referendum suffering a heavy defeat across Australia. Some No voters said a trust gap had been created between themselves and the Labor Party. The failed Indigenous Cultural Heritage Act was repeatedly cited as a reason to vote No by those attending the Allendale Primary School booth. Daniel, a farmer in Geraldton, said: “The heritage laws were reason for concern, what’s to say this will be any different. “The amount of money wasted on this already is another issue”. Daniel expressed his worry for where the Voice would be taken if voted in. “Who knows where it’ll go. We didn’t know where the heritage laws would go and look what happened to them,” he said. Voters at the Allendale booth say information was the missing piece of the puzzle. “I don’t care if you’re black, white, Asian or Indian — we’re all equal,” Barry, who did not want his surname published, said. “They’re letting 3 per cent of the population dominate and dictate what the other 97 per cent of us can do. “Indigenous means the place you were born — and I was born in Australia so that means I’m Indigenous.” Another voter said alarm bells started ringing when he saw First Nations Australians voting No. “If Aboriginals themselves are against it, that says everything it needs to I think,” Paul said. Annette Dalton, the mother of Geraldton MLA Lara Dalton, voted Yes and said she was disappointed in her ageing peers. “I didn’t even have a hesitation,” she said. “These people have been downtrodden for long. “It’s not going to make any difference to us but it’ll make sure they have a say and make sure the decisions and money is going to the right place.” Natalie Nelmes, a Yes volunteer at the Wandina Primary School polling station, said if the referendum failed, the misinformation spruiked by the No campaign would be to blame. “There’s been a lot of misinformation, I think as a Yes volunteer, our overriding thought is to always be kind and respectful . . . and I think in the main that’s what has happened from the Yes side of things. It’d be great to see it get up, but everything says it won’t,” she said. “If all you need to do is sow a little bit of fear, that’s pretty easy as opposed to trying to sell a positive message. “The detail has always been there, if you want to bother to read it.” No campaign volunteer Peter, who did not want his surname published, disagreed, saying if the information was out there then “show me all the detail, show me what’s going to happen”. When asked what he wanted the next steps to be, regardless of the result, Peter said: “I hope all people, no matter their race, are treated equally, that no one is put on a pedestal, that no one is put beneath anyone else, that we’re all treated equally, as Australians.” Geraldton For Yes campaign leader Michael Rootes said early on Saturday voters were still looking for their last pieces of information on how to vote. Booth captain for Fair Australias No campaign Pauline Wright said there was a strong display of camaraderie between those opposing the Voice. “People are quite private about how they vote but it’s nice to get those thumbs up,” she said. “There’s no transperency, there’s no answers — what are we voting for and who is making these decisions. I feel like I’m signing a blank cheque.” Geraldton punters hoping for a democracy sausage after they voted were met with a mixed bag, with some booths not offering any food or drinks, while others did, but the prices ranged from $2.50 for a snag and bread at Drummond Cove to $8 for a bacon and egg burger at Wandina.