The Prime Minister is hopeful of referendum success after outlining the first steps in his government's commitment to fully implement the Uluru Statement From the Heart.
In an address that received a standing ovation at the Garma Festival in Gulkula, Anthony Albanese put forward a question as a starting point of discussion among the Australian people.
“Do you support an alteration to the Constitution that establishes an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice?" he said.
Speaking with NITV, Mr Albanese said the Uluru Statement "means a lot to our nation" and also responded to critics who say it's just symbolism.
"It's constitutional reform so that we can get better practical outcomes," he said.
"It's not a third chamber of parliament it makes it very clear that this isn't a determining body.
For 121 years, we've had a system in which the government in Canberra could determine what was best for First Nations people ... we need to do better and we know also that where First Nations people are consulted ... we get better outcomes when people have that sense of ownership."
In his address, Mr Albanese also put forward three sentences that could be added to the Constitution.
1. There shall be a body, to be called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. 2. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice make representations to Parliament and the Executive Government on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. 3. The Parliament shall, subject to this Constitution, have power to make laws with respect to the composition, functions, powers and procedures of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.
The government faces a challenge in successfully passing a referendum - only eight of 44 have been carried in Australia since 1906. The last success was in 1977 and eight have failed since.
"I'm very optimistic because it comes from my optimistic sense of the Australian culture that Australians believe in," Mr Albanese said.
"They believe in respect and decency. This is a common sense change that simply says that where issues affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people we should consult them. That's just good manners. Nothing more, but absolutely nothing less."
The Minister for Indigenous Australians, Linda Burney said she cried during Mr Albanese's speech.
Anthony Albanese shakes the hand of Galarrwuy Yunupingu following his speech at Garma. Source: Getty
"I was absolutely thrilled and I actually started crying."
"Obviously, we were aware of what the prime minister was going to announce, but I think it really has advanced the discussion in this country about a voice to the parliament, [and] a referendum.
"And it is an invitation for everyone to be involved," she said.
Yothu Yindi Foundation board member Djawa Yunupingu reminded a forum at the festival that Indigenous people had been made many promises in previous generations.
"It has hurt us a lot to hear these promises made to our faces only to see the promises betrayed," he said in a speech.
He reminded the crowd of the work his brother, Galarrwuy Yunupingu, had led across four decades with former prime ministers Bob Hawke, Tony Abbott and Kevin Rudd and the pledges they had been given.
"We watch those words. Those words were wiped away," he said.
"Now we're into 2022. We are hearing words from a prime minister ... understanding the seriousness of the business and I'll be honest, these words are lifting our spirits."
People look on during a keynote speech by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during the Garma Festival at Gulkula Source: Getty
Opposition wants detail
The Opposition's Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians, Julian Leeser, told NITV that the speech was a "positive step" in the discussion but the government needs to give more detail.
"I think the next step has to be to explain to Australians, how the Voice will actually work, who will serve on it? What will it do? What will its powers be?" he said.
"If you can't answer basic questions about what the body will do, it will be hard to see a referendum being successful.
"We've got a question, but we still can't answer the question."
Opposition leader Petter Dutton was not in attendance at the Garma Festival, but Ms Burney said she is taking him on his word to be open-minded.
"I think he does have an open mind."
"When I spoke in the parliament the other day, he listened. He really listened.
"And I think that the fact that he has appointed Julian Leeser, [and] that Julian Leeser is here is a good sign."
- With AAP
