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AAP
AAP
Politics
Andrew Brown

PM urges Indigenous voice support as parliament returns

Anthony Albanese has used the first day of parliament to urge support for an Indigenous voice. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has used the first day of parliament for the year to urge support for an Indigenous voice.

Mr Albanese said the voice to parliament, which will be put to a referendum later this year, should be above politics.

"This is a task which we need to, of course, get the detail right and there would be a process as well as that parliamentary debate about the legislation and I'd want to get as much agreement as possible," he told reporters in Canberra on Monday.

"I want this to be a long-term reform to benefit Indigenous Australians to help closing the gap."

Labor retains a commanding lead over the coalition in the latest Newspoll as parliament returns. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

The latest Newspoll indicated 56 per cent of respondents supported the voice while 37 per cent were opposed.

"Polls come and go, what matters is when people cast their vote," Mr Albanese said.

"The call for a Indigenous recognition in our constitution and consultation on matters that affect them will not have an impact on most people's lives, but it might just make some people's lives, some of the most disadvantaged people in our country, better."

The question people will be asked at the referendum on the voice will be known by the end of June.

Tony Burke says changes to referendum laws are needed before the final vote details are known. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

The wording must be endorsed by both houses of parliament before Australians cast their votes.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has consistently called for more details on the Indigenous voice.

Tony Burke, the manager of government business, said more than enough information had been provided.

"I can't think of any referendum proposal where there has been more process than this," Mr Burke said.

Anthony Albanese has used the first day of parliament to urge support for an Indigenous voice. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

The Greens have called for treaty to be implemented before the voice.

But Labor senator Pat Dodson, the government's special envoy for reconciliation, stressed the need to secure the voice first.

"To have a treaty, you have to have a voice, you have to have an entity, you have to have a group of people that have a standing or that have credibility," he said.

Crossbench senator Jacqui Lambie said Mr Albanese was "on notice" to prove how a voice would make a practical improvement to the lives of Indigenous people, following an outbreak of violence in Alice Springs.

"It's out of control out there mate ... it's time to come in with some tough love," she said.

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