Political leaders and spokespeople for the ‘yes’ and ‘no’ campaigns have reflected on the referendum defeat of a constitutionally enshrined Indigenous voice.

“This is a hand of friendship outstretched from the First Australians to every Australian, just asking for it to be grasped in that spirit of reconciliation and friendship.” – Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

“I knew that we could win every state and that we could have a chance to get the majority vote.” – ‘No’ campaigner Warren Mundine

“People are hesitant to change the rule book because they know that it’s really the underpinning of the great country that we are.” – Opposition Leader Peter Dutton

“Whatever the result, millions of Australians have united in an historic movement for constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians.” – Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney

“The votes that come in represent the creation of a base of support by Australians from all walks of life in support of recognition, in support of a voice, and I believe in the support of Indigenous progress more generally.” – ‘Yes’ campaign director Dean Parkin

“I call on all the Australian people, whether you voted ‘yes’ or voted ‘no’, the responsibility shifts from Indigenous people, it shifts to you non-Indigenous people to keep governments to account.” – Liberals for ‘yes’ co-convenor Sean Gordon

“We need to heal and unite the country, not through a referendum of ‘yes’ and ‘no’, it needs to be through truth telling and healing.” – Independent senator and ‘no’ campaigner Lidia Thorpe

“I feel devastated after I have been working on this for over a decade, and so have many other people.” – Indigenous activist Tanya Hosch

“One of the key things we have now is to ensure that whilst Australians have said ‘no’ to this referendum, they certainly have not said no to the need to close the gap.” – Federal cabinet minister Michelle Rowland

“People didn’t say ‘no’ to reconciliation, they did not say ‘no’ to improving the lives of Indigenous Australians.” – Coalition senator Kerrynne Liddle

By Andrew Brown in Canberra