The Uluru Statement of the Heart came under heavy fire during an episode of Q+A that tackled the issues surrounding Indigenous rights, on the 30th anniversary of the landmark Mabo ruling.
Audience guest Gwenda Stanley, a Gomeroi woman and caretaker of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy, discredited the Uluru Statement as she raised her concerns that it, Mabo and native title have done nothing for Indigenous people in Australia.
"When is this government, an Australian government going to address the Holocaust and the genocide in this country?" she said
"I was one of those delegates that was locked out of the constitution summit meeting.
"I would like to know what is in this constitution and how will it benefit us as Aboriginal people in this country.
"Does anyone else know what they're voting for because last time I sat at a Labor women's rank-and-file [meeting] last year and not one of those Labor members could tell me what was in the constitution.
"And you are only of the interest of the Crown. Where is the interest of us as Indigenous Australians?"
Her scathing comments drew a response from freshly sworn-in Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Linda Burney, who said she would listen to those like Ms Stanley, who disagreed with the Uluru Statement and wanted change.
"It will be my job as the Minister for Indigenous Australians to bring people together, to listen to people that disagree with the Uluru Statement, to listen to people that agree and try and find common ground," Ms Burney said.
"That is what's important.
"I would like to think that in a direct answer to your question, that if we can change the Australian Constitution… it will address social justice issues for our people because there will be a group of elected people that will have a say on the laws that affect Aboriginal people."
Accusations of 'concentration camps'
Asked why she felt the Uluru Statement failed, Ms Stanley said she wanted Indigenous rights to be delivered on Indigenous terms and not the terms of the Australian government.
"For 30 years we've been reconciling, 232 years we've been reconciling," she said.
"Why are we still trying to integrate into a system that systemically oppresses us?
"We need open dialogues. We need more communication on the grassroots, not hand-picked selective representative bodies that are still controlled and dictated by government.
"We need to come to the table, come to the Aboriginal Tent Embassy, sit with us and take it back to the people.
"The Holocaust happened here in Australia, and it needs to be addressed.
"And we do that by coming to an agreement on our terms, not on government terms."
Other panel members agreed Indigenous people needed to see practical outcomes, not just symbolism.
Audience member Josh Kirsh asked how the hurtful experience of LGBTQ groups during the same-sex marriage plebiscite could be avoided during the debate about Indigenous rights.
Panellist Chris Kenny, a journalist and Indigenous Voice senior advisory group member, said he believed that would not be the case as the issue was not divisive.
"I think it's worth remembering how close we are together as a nation on this," Kenny said.
"Don't believe those who say this is a terribly divisive issue.
"At the moment, all arms of politics in this country support Indigenous recognition in the constitution."
Ms Burney said she believed a consensus would be reached under the Albanese government. But the final word went to Gail Mabo, who is the daughter of Eddie 'Koiki' Mabo.
Ms Mabo said she had no idea about the specific timeline but called for all parties to be listened to, including Ms Stanley and the Tent Embassy.
"We all have to actually look at everything," Ms Mabo said.
"And do, like Linda said, start having those conversations and bringing people to the table.
