Incoming Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney says new Liberal leader Peter Dutton has an opportunity to be on the "right side of history" and support a referendum for a Voice to Parliament.
Ms Burney delivered this year's Lowitja O'Donoghue oration in Adelaide on Tuesday night, where she reaffirmed the Labor government's commitment to the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
The Uluru statement will establish an Indigenous Voice in the constitution, and Makarrata, a Yolngu word with a similar meaning to treaty, referring to the process of conflict resolution, peacemaking, and justice.
Ms Burney said there was now an opportunity for "unity and leadership".
"There is no one for whom supporting a referendum for a Voice to Parliament represents a bigger political opportunity than for Peter Dutton," she said.
She said it was an opportunity for Mr Dutton to show his "much-talked-about different side".
"Peter Dutton has in recent days reflected on what it is like to be on the wrong side of history – after walking out on the apology to the Stolen Generations.
"But we all grow, and we all change. And there is no shame in that at all.
"In fact, that is what the journey of reconciliation is all about."
Mr Dutton was the only opposition frontbencher in 2008 to walk out on then-prime minister Kevin Rudd's apology to the Stolen Generations.
During a press conference on Monday, Mr Dutton said he made a mistake when he boycotted the apology.
"Largely that was because of my own background and experience … I worked in Townsville, I remember going to many domestic violence instances, particularly in Indigenous communities," he said.
In her speech, Ms Burney said she believed the Nationals and the Greens also have important decisions to make.
"I know Australia is ready for this and if we are all flexible, and we all accept some level of compromise — together, this parliament could unite to inspire our country to something really great."
She told the audience a referendum would be a defining moment that would make Australia a "fairer" place.
"Imagine how this next referendum will make us feel about ourselves, our neighbours, and our country — when it passes," Ms Burney said.
Mr Dutton said earlier this week that he was "very, very happy" to speak with the government about the Uluru statement.
"I don't think it's been through the caucus and the Labor Party as to what the final form will be," he said.
"So, we'll have a look at what they're proposing. But as I said, I want the symbolic nature — which I accept is very important to many people — to be accompanied by practical responses," he said.
