Federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton maintains the onus is now on the Labor government to explain the details of the proposed Indigenous Voice to Parliament constitutional changes.
In a closed-door meeting with Liberal and National party colleagues, Mr Dutton has expressed concern about whether the broader Australian community understand what the proposal is about.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese revealed a proposed referendum question to put to Australians on Indigenous constitutional recognition at the Garma Festival in Arnhem Land over the weekend.
He said the crafting of the question is aimed at putting a “simple” proposition to Australians to create the best chance of referendum success.
The proposed question is: “Do you support an alteration to the constitution that establishes an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice?”
Mr Dutton says Labor now has to explain the way the Voice to Parliament would function.
He has made few comments on the issue since Saturday.
The Liberal leader has impressed on his colleagues the importance of approaching the issue in a “respectful and thoughtful” way.
At the same time he has reaffirmed his approach to focus on practical improvements that lead to reconciliation.
No date set yet for a referendum
No firm timeline has been set for a referendum to be held, although Mr Albanese has committed to seeing the change through during his three-year term.
The group behind the Uluru Statement — From the Heart — is proposing two dates for the referendum: 27 May 2023, or 27 January 2024.
The 2017 Uluru Statement from the Heart was endorsed by an
of more than 250 delegates meeting after a series of regional dialogues across the country.
