A senior NSW Liberal MP is calling on his federal colleagues to support a referendum to establish an Indigenous voice to parliament.
The federal opposition has not revealed whether it would support a 'yes' campaign in the referendum, due to be held in the next financial year, because they want more detail about the model from the Albanese government.
But NSW Treasurer Matt Kean said he wants to see his colleagues in Canberra supporting the campaign.
"It's an opportunity to unite our nation (and) strengthen our democracy," he told ABC Radio on Tuesday.
"The Liberal party supporting a voice to parliament will ensure there is broad support for a voice to parliament, for our first nations people to be consulted on matters of policy."
But Liberal Senate leader Simon Birmingham said he wanted the government to put forward the type of model it wants to proceed with rather than pointing to past reports and analyses.
"There are definitely different views across the party and many who simply want to try to make an informed decision based on the detail," he said.
Senator Birmingham said he believed there would "no doubt" be differences of opinion among Liberal MPs right up until ballots were cast, but he didn't want the referendum to be unsuccessful.
"I certainly don't want to see a voice referendum fail," he said.
"I think that would be undesirable for the country and the many people who hold the issue dear."
Mr Kean said establishing the voice would be an important step forward for the nation.
"This is a moderate request from our First Nations people to the country ... especially in light of past atrocities and injustices have occurred," he said.
