Prominent Yes campaigners have reacted with sadness and anger at the defeat of the Voice to Parliament proposal, with Thomas Mayo criticising the No campaign and Marcia Langton saying the concept of reconciliation is dead. 

The Voice to Parliament has been defeated with a No vote recorded nationally and in all six states. 

Mr Mayo told ABC News on Saturday night he was “devastated” by the result, but maintained his support for the Voice proposal. 

“I think that the proposal that we have made is the right one. We need a Voice, we need that structural change and we got it right at Uluru,” he said. 

“But we have seen a disgusting No campaign, a campaign that has been dishonest, that has lied to the Australian people, and I’m sure that will come out in the analysis.

“I’m sure that history will reflect poorly on [Opposition Leader] Peter Dutton, [One Nation leader] Pauline Hanson [and] all of those that have opposed this.” 

In responding to the defeat of the referendum, Professor Langton said it was “very clear that reconciliation is dead”.

“A majority of Australians have said No to an invitation from Indigenous Australia, with a minimal proposition, to give us a bare say in matters that affect our lives, advice that doesn’t need to be taken by the Parliament,” she told SBS News.

“And a proposition that the vast majority of retired High Court judges and constitutional experts affirmed as being constitutionally safe, sound and, moreover, elegant and practical.

“I think the No campaigners have a lot to answer for in poisoning Australia against this proposition and against Indigenous Australia.”

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However, Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney said: “It is not the end of reconciliation.” 

“To all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, I want to say this: I know the last few months have been tough but be proud of who you are, be proud of your identity,” she said. 

“Be proud of the 65,000 years of history and culture that you are part of, and your rightful place in this country.

“We need to keep listening to Indigenous Australians about what works and what can make practical differences for the next generation.” 

Mr Mayo said he was not angry at the Australian public. 

“I think the Australian public were ready for this,” he said. 

“I disagree when people say they weren’t.

“I think [Prime Minister Anthony] Albanese was courageous, I think he was empathetic, I think he genuinely wanted this change and he has done the right thing by putting it to the people.

“It is not his fault, it is not the Australian people’s fault, it is the people that have lied to the Australian people — they are the ones we should be blaming.” 

Mr Mayo said he did not know what would come next, saying the Yes campaign had “no plan B”. 

“One thing we do know is that we are never going to give up fighting for our rights, our rightful place in this country, for recognition and for a Voice,” he said.