A senior federal minister has delivered a stirring call to action to all Australians to write a new chapter in the nation's history by supporting the upcoming referendum on a voice to parliament.
Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney gave a speech to the Woodford Folk Festival, where she cemented her confidence Australians would vote in support of the voice.
The festival is a six-day celebration of music and culture being held for the first time in almost three years, north of Brisbane.
Ms Burney said she was often asked if she was scared the referendum would fail but revealed continuing with the status quo scared her more.
"It won't be easy, progress rarely is," she said.
"If we do not try, then we have already lost. If we do not try, then we might never have a possibility of bringing this nation together united like never before."
Ms Burney said Australians looked back with pride on the 1967 referendum.
More than 90 per cent of people voted in favour of allowing the Commonwealth to make laws for First Nations people and include them in the census.
"In 2023, I know this country is up for it," she said.
"I know that this country will vote Yes."
The minister rubbished criticism voters did not have any details about the voice to parliament.
She said the voice would provide independent advice to parliament and government on matters affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.
"It will not administer programs or be able to block or veto other legislation," she said.
"Crucially, when the voice is embedded in the constitution, Indigenous Australians will finally take our rightful place in our founding legal document: the constitution."
Ms Burney said no other public policy question in Australia had been subject to as much inquiry, research, public consultation and report writing as the constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians.
"The time has come for action," she said.
She called on Australians to talk to their friends, family and work colleagues about the voice.
"We have an opportunity to unite Australia, to make peace with our past, to create practical change that will improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians," she said.
"To take this country forward, forward to a better future for all of us, together as people that believe in decency, better outcomes for First Nation's and telling the truth."
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is set to confirm the timetable for the upcoming referendum and will announce that by this time next year, Australians will have gone to the polls.
In a speech to the festival, Mr Albanese will say he respects Australian's right to make their own decision on the referendum.
But he will reiterate a voice would achieve two things: recognise First Nations people in Australia's constitution and ensure they are consulted on matters that directly affect them.
The prime minister will encourage Australians to support the referendum, saying it's a chance to be part of national unity and reconciliation.
"It will be when we join with our continent's mosaic of ancient nations that our modern nation will find its greatest strength, achieve its fullest potential and realise its truest self," he will say.
