Both referendum questions fail. The NO vote for the republic was 54.2% nationally while over 60% voted against the Preamble recognising indigenous people, immigrants and our democratic system of government (with about 75% of the vote counted). Only one State – Victoria – voted in favour of the republic at a touch over 50% while the ACT recorded the highest vote for the republic at 64% YES. Affluent city electorates held by the Liberal party and safe Labor seats generally voted YES for the republic nationally while mid range and lower socio-economic Labor seats generally voted NO. The big NO vote came from the bush, many rural electorates recording almost 80% opposed.
Woman for an Australian Republic, Adelaide Ironside, republican poet and artist 1831-1867
Self portrait 1855, Newcastle Art Gallery NSW
