Voice referendum: Yes campaigner Thomas Mayo unleashes in live TV spray against ‘disgusting’ No campaign

Yes23 campaigner Thomas Mayo has launched a scathing attack on the No campaign after the Indigenous Voice referendum on Parliament was soundly defeated.

Tasmania, South Australia, NSW and Queensland voted against the proposed change to the Constitution, however the official count is still ongoing.

Mayo, who is a signatory to the Heartbroken Declaration, said he was ‘devastated’ by the result, but blamed politicians rather than voters.

‘We need a voice. We need that structural change and we got it at Uluru,” Mayo said.

“But we have seen a despicable No campaign, a campaign that has been dishonest, that has lied to the Australian people and I’m sure it will come to light.

“I’m sure history will reflect badly on Peter Dutton, Pauline Hanson, everybody who has opposed this, and so, you know, I don’t know what’s going to happen next, but it’s just devastating.”

Asked if he was angry, Mayo said he was but not with the Australian people.

“I’m not angry with the Australian public. I think the Australian public was ready for it. I disagree when people say they weren’t. I don’t agree that this was a bad idea.’

“I know we needed that fundamental change to be recognized. And to have a guaranteed representative body and people who speak for us like the one we just heard and who don’t choose political parties for us. But choosing our own leaders.’

“We got it right and I don’t blame the Australian people at all.

“But who do I blame and that I hope the Australian people look closely the next time they have a say in this democracy as to who our leadership is, I hope they look at who has lied to the Australian people.”

Mayo called Mr Albanese’s decision to seek the referendum ‘brave’ and said it was ‘not his fault’ the Yes vote was lost.

He laid the blame squarely at the feet of the No activists.

“It’s the people who lied to us, the Australian people, they’re the Australians we have to blame,” he said.

“It’s been disgusting from the No campaign to be honest.”

It appears voters in Indigenous Australian Minister Linda Burney’s electorate are among those who voted a majority no.

The inner-city Labor MP’s Sydney seat of Barton had a progressive 56 per cent ‘No’ vote two hours after polls closed on Saturday as counting continued.

The referendum asked Australians whether they wanted to recognize First Nations people in the constitution including a non-binding advisory body that could make representations to government and parliament.