Voters in the electorate of Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney are among a growing majority to reject a proposed voice to parliament.
The Labor MP's inner-Sydney seat of Barton had a progressive 56 per cent 'no' vote two hours after polls closed on Saturday, as counting continued.
The referendum asked Australians whether they wanted to recognise First Nations people into the constitution by enshrining a non-binding advisory body that could make representations to the government and parliament.
Ms Burney said she would fight until the last minute for a successful referendum, despite poor polling right up to polls closing.
Whatever the result tonight, millions of Australians have united in an historic movement for constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians.— Linda Burney MP (@LindaBurneyMP) Millions of you have said Yes to hope, recognition, and the offer of reconciliation from Indigenous Australians.Thank you. pic.twitter.com/fdEQIaFOjjOctober 14, 2023
Her state of NSW voted down the proposal after a strong 'no' result in the regions and in Western Sydney.
The referendum result quickly failed as NSW, Tasmania and South Australia voted against it, failing to give the 'yes' camp the four-state majority needed to pass.