Distrust, inequity, prejudice behind 'no' from the bush

Ms Burney in February visited the Ngurang-gu Yalbilinya Indigenous-led high school program outside Orange, in central western NSW, which seeks to re-engage boys in education through lessons in a bush setting.

"This program is absolutely what the voice is about ... successful programs that change lives," Ms Burney said during her visit on a hot summer morning.

"And having First Nations people, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, chosen by communities, particularly from regional and remote Australia, telling politicians what needs to happen to change lives."

But eight months later, that notion was resoundingly rejected by country Australians who voted against a constitutional amendment that would have enshrined an Indigenous voice to parliament.

Commentators said the 'no' from the bush reflected deep-seated country conservatism and distrust in government at a time when rural voters were facing dwindling essential services and rising costs of living.

Analysis by polling company RedBridge Group showed low-income regional electorates like Hinkler in Queensland, Grey in rural South Australia and NSW's Lyne were among those that led the 'no' vote.

Its poll one month out from the referendum showed voters prioritised climate change, wages, cost of living and housing affordability above the voice.

"There's a lot of pain and it's very hard when you're trying to get someone's attention about an issue - as important as it might be - but you're so concerned about your own backyard and finances that nothing else cuts through," RedBridge's Tony Barry, a former Liberal Party strategist, told AAP.

"In regional areas, access to health care is generally abysmal - these are the sort of issues that are top of mind for people."

The nation's strongest 'no' vote came from regional Queensland, where up to 85 per cent of voters in southwest and central parts of the state did not support the voice.

More than 75 per cent of voters in western NSW and Victoria voted 'no', with similar statistics in country electorates across the remaining states.

However, polling data from rural and remote polling places with high Indigenous populations in the Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australia showed those voters backed the voice referendum.

Dominic O'Sullivan, a professor in political science at Charles Sturt University, said though it may be hard for some communities to face, prejudice was one factor in the comprehensive 'no' vote.

"We can't escape the presence of racism in this result," Prof O'Sullivan told AAP.

"We need to do more work to find out how prevalent it is ... but to say that it's not there would be extraordinarily naive."

The 'no' vote prevailed even in regional electorates that became focal points for the country 'yes' movement.

Shepparton, in the Victorian electorate of Nicholls, hosted the high-profile Now and Forever concert featuring Paul Kelly, A.B. Original and Jimmy Barnes the weekend before the vote.

In Calare, federal member Andrew Gee sensationally quit the National Party over its stance against the voice and went on to actively support the 'yes' campaign.

"Had I not taken a stand on it, I am sure I would have regretted it for the rest of my life," Mr Gee told a public forum at a pub in Orange in August.

But voters in both regions roundly rejected the voice, with 76 per cent voting 'no' in Nicholls and 72 per cent in Calare.

Though Nationals leader David Littleproud said the result showed Mr Gee was out of touch with his electorate, the local member stood by his decision.

"I hope that Australians everywhere can come together and find ways to pick up the torch of reconciliation and carry it forward," Mr Gee said in a statement.

Country areas were always going to lead the 'no' vote, according to Emeritus Professor John Cole from the University of Southern Queensland's Institute for Resilient Regions.

"Regional Australians already see themselves being somewhat beyond the focus of policymakers," Prof Cole said.

"There's a sense there already that people are making laws and rules for them without real representation and real input, or real understanding of the interests of rural and regional Australia."

While many grassroots campaigners were not prepared to speak days after the referendum, Prof O'Sullivan said the national 'yes' vote of just below 40 per cent could be enough to shape the future of Indigenous affairs.

"It's perhaps an overstatement to say reconciliation is dead," he said.

"We can certainly say it suffered a very significant setback, but nothing in politics is forever."

Australian Associated Press