The referendum question has been defeated.
It was always a big ask to change the Australian Constitution given that since Federation, Australians have only voted to change it eight times.
I respect the will of the Australian people and I thank the 17 million Australians who participated in today's vote.
Naturally, I am disappointed and my thoughts are with every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australian who is feeling a sense of sadness tonight.
Though the YES case is lost tonight, I know that the cause of reconciliation will ultimately succeed.
To every Indigenous Australian I say, this was a vote about the Constitution, it was not a vote about you. It is an undeniable fact that you are our land's first peoples and I honour you this night.
I pledge everything in my being to keep walking the path of reconciliation with you.
One of the heartening things in the campaign has been seeing the passionate and strong leadership shown by Indigenous leaders on both sides. I acknowledge YES leaders such as Linda Burney, Noel Pearson, Malarndirri McCarthy, Dean Parkin, Pat Dodson, Ken Wyatt, Karen Mundine, Marcia Langton and Rachel Perkins, as well as the NO case leaders, Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, Kerrynne Liddle and Warren Mundine.
Personally, I feel immense pride in the tens of thousands of volunteers who have campaigned for the YES vote. Getting to know so many of you, particularly the hundreds in my Berowra community, is something that I will always hold dear.
I thank the people in my party and community who have stood alongside me in this campaign.
Now that the referendum is over, Australia needs a time of reflection before we consider our next steps on our reconciliation journey.
We need each other. We belong to each other. We share this land - and we must walk together so that we can close the gaps between us.
On Monday, Parliament returns. My hope is that during the sitting week we will recommit to the path of reconciliation. This is what all Australians, no matter how they voted, expect of us.
Julian Leeser is the current member for Berowra and former federal Shadow Minister for Indigenous affairs.
