Labor’s Pat Dodson,Anthony Albanese and Linda Burney on their way to attend a ministerial statement to mark the anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations.

Labor’s Pat Dodson,Anthony Albanese and Linda Burney on their way to attend a ministerial statement to mark the anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations.Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Mr Morrison said last month the government remained focused on practical matters such as improving health and education outcomes and tackling domestic violence.

But Mr Albanese toldThe Sun-Herald andThe Sunday Age ahead of his trip to Australia’s red heart that the voice to Parliament had been derailed,back in 2017,by people falsely claiming it would effectively function as a third chamber of Parliament.

“It’s a modest and gracious request that First Nations be consulted about policies that affect them,” Mr Albanese said.

“Our precondition for support is that any proposition has the support of the First Nations people and so we think that the denial of a constitutionally-enshrined Voice is the denial of the Australian instinct for a fair go.”

“If fear of failure is your guiding light,you need never fear success. There has to be a constitutionally-recognised Voice to Parliament.”

The 2017 Uluru statement recommended a voice to Parliament,a Makarrata or truth-telling Commission and ultimately a treaty between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians.

The 2019 budget set aside $7.3 million for a “co-design” process for a Voice to Parliament but Indigenous Australians Minister Ken Wyatt has committed the government to a legislated version,rather than one enshrined in the constitution that would need to be endorsed in a referendum.

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Gumatj clan ceremonial leaders performing the Gurtha ceremony at the opening ceremony of the First Nations National Convention held in Uluru,at the Mutitjulu community,on Tuesday 23 May 2017. fedpol fedpol Photo:Alex Ellinghausen

Gumatj clan ceremonial leaders performing the Gurtha ceremony at the opening ceremony of the First Nations National Convention held in Uluru,at the Mutitjulu community,on Tuesday 23 May 2017. fedpol fedpol Photo:Alex EllinghausenCredit:Alex Ellinghausen

The consultation process for that legislated Voice is due to finish in mid-year despite some Indigenous groups and advocates,such as lawyer and academic Noel Pearson,strongly preferring the constitutional option.

University of NSW law professor Megan Davis,who played a key role in the Uluru statement,welcomed Mr Albanese’s call for constitutional recognition.

“In the four years since the Uluru statement from the heart was issued to the Australian people there have been an overwhelming number of Australians accept it,” she said.

“There is a ground swell of Australians from across the political spectrum wanting their say at a ballot box and this movement of Australian people can’t be ignored so it’s good the Leader of the Opposition is showing leadership.”

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Mr Albanese said that if a referendum were to be held at the same time as the next federal election,which is expected in the first half of 2022,work would need to begin now.

The Opposition Leader will be joined on his trip by shadow Indigenous Australians minister Linda Burney and Marion Scrymgour,Labor’s candidate for the seat of Lingiari.

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