An Indigenous academic central to the Uluru Statement from the Heart is hopeful the federal budget will kickstart significant reforms.
Wemba Wemba man Eddie Synot wants the Albanese government to power ahead with Indigenous programs including a voice to parliament.
The budget set aside $75 million for a referendum on the Indigenous voice.
Mr Synot said an additional $5.8 million investment into a truth-telling commission showed Labor was already thinking about its next steps.
"Laying down money to start planning for the Makarrata Commission is an important part of the Uluru Statement that follows the voice," he told AAP.
"It's putting money down where it needs to go and it's more evidence that the government is serious about their commitment."
Mr Synot said the money showed the government wasn't going to waste any time with the referendum.
"I think that they've accepted and agree that the Australian people are ready to vote yes," he said.
"It's very exciting to finally to see politicians catch up with the Australian people who have accepted the invitation to the Uluru Statement in large swathes."
Labor also set aside $1.2 billion to address health, education and economic inequalities within Indigenous communities.
"The voice isn't going to happen immediately, it's coming, but it's important to see them putting that money down for those other measures in the interim to improve the situation for our people," Mr Synot told AAP.
He encouraged Labor not to rush the referendum or plans for a truth-telling commission, saying it's a complicated process and too important to get wrong.
