Indigenous Coalition senator Jacinta Price said a Voice to parliament would create more division and called for more practical measures to address disadvantage.

“Why should I as an Indigenous Australian be governed under a separate entity than the rest of Australia because of my race,” she said.

But the Nationals aren’t unified in their opposition. Federal MPAndrew Gee said he would support the Voice,as would the Western Australian branch of the party.

The Liberals maintain they want to see more detail about the proposal before coming to a definitive position.

NSW Treasurer and Liberal moderate Matt Kean said he was disappointed the Nationals came out so early against the voice before the final details were established.

“The request by Indigenous Australians to the rest of the country to be consulted on policy matters is a modest one,” he told Sky News on Sunday.

“This is an opportunity to unite our country rather than divide it.

“It’s something we should continue to work through the detail and ultimately help bring the country together.”

Kean also backed the approach taken by Opposition Leader Peter Dutton,sayingthe detail mattered.

“The Australian public should have all the information they need to make a decision in a referendum for no other reason than it would legitimise the process,” he said.

Burney says she’s confident the referendum will succeed.

I am confident in the Australian people,” she said.

“I believe if the Australian people fully understand the need for this voice,the powerlessness,as described in the Uluru Statement of First Nations people,and an enormous sense of fairness,the vote will be ‘yes’.”

AAP

Cut through the noise of federal politics with news,views and expert analysis from Jacqueline Maley. Subscribers can sign up to our weeklyInside Politics newsletter here.