Yes campaign sheds tears for a brutal result – but also for the dark victory of misinformation

Thomas Mayo hugs Yes23 campaign director Dean Parkin after the Indigenous voice to parliament referendum was defeated. Photograph: Jenny Evans/Getty Images

Those used to the usual rhythm of a federal election night might have expected a trickle of a count, softened by platitudes about small unrepresentative booths.

But the no verdict was as quick as it was brutal.