AS USUAL, the morning conversation at Kaimaki Cafe at Kogarah was all about the debt crisis in the homeland.
Greece has been in crisis, and Sunday's referendum on whether to accept the terms of the European Union's bailout and more austerity came out as a definite "no".
Coffee drinkers Peter, Angelo, Peter and "Mr James", all retired, had predicted a "yes" vote.
They supported the rightist politicians, they said, because these had been going in the right direction.
"Things were bad under the previous government but they became much worse under this government, and now things will be even worse," one of the Peters said.
"This government has had six months — they should have done something before now."
However, being Greek, they hoped that the gamble taken by the governing leftist Syriza Party to get to a better negotiating position would pay off — that Europe softens its hard line on the country's debt repayments.
"Bad times will become worse unless Europe comes to the party and a fairer solution is found for Greece," they said.
They all agreed Greece must stay in the European Union.
Michael, a caretaker at a nearby building, favoured the "no" vote but said Syriza would be finished unless it could create jobs.
"Greece needs smart investment," he said.
"Unless the government can renegotiate the loans and attract investment I can't see any light at the end of the tunnel."
Michael said the European Union should take some responsibility.
"The EU should have said something: they should have given better advice," he said.
President of the Greek Orthodox Community Harry Danalis said the referendum was a victory for the Greek people and was a great negotiating tool.
"It shows they are not prepared to accept further austerity," he said.
"If the European leaders take notice of the referendum result and water down their demands maybe we'll get somewhere."
Barton MP Nickolas Varvaris said the referendum result indicated the strong voice of the Greek people.
"The 'Oxi' vote definitely gives extra leverage to Greece's impending negotiations," Mr Varvaris said.
"Any outcome will have an all-Europe implication, as it will encourage many other Eurozone parties on similar austerity paths to follow suit, balancing out the position of the rich north with the poorer southern members."
Mr Varvaris said the vote was not to get out of Europe but to achieve a better deal within the Eurozone.
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