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AAP
AAP
Politics
Neve Brissenden

Rise in support for Indigenous voice

A survey shows support for reconciliation and the Uluru Statement is strong, says Karen Mundine. (Rohan Thomson/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

Three out of four Australians believe the creation of a national representative Indigenous body is important and should be enshrined in the constitution.

A new survey from Reconciliation Australia found 79 per cent favour an enshrined Indigenous voice to parliament, with support from First Nations people sitting at 86 per cent.

"This latest survey provides evidence that support for reconciliation and the Uluru Statement from the Heart remains strong," Reconciliation Australia CEO Karen Mundine said.

"As does mutual trust between First Nations people and non-Indigenous Australians."

Support for a treaty has grown significantly among non-Indigenous Australians since 2020 as well, with a 19 per cent increase from 53 per cent in 2020 to 72 per cent in 2022.

The group surveyed 532 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and 1990 non-Indigenous people, all weighted to be representative in terms of age group, gender and location.

The Albanese government is consulting on the wording of a referendum question, having promised to deliver constitutional change at the election.

The data also showed 60 per cent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people surveyed reported an experience of at least one form of racial prejudice in the past six months, an increase of eight per cent since 2020, and 17 per cent since 2018.

However, more than half of non-Indigenous respondents, said Australia was not a racist country.

"As stories of racism in sport and workplaces and the death of a young Noongar man hit our front pages, and amid media reports on the appalling treatment of our children in detention centres, it is clear that as a nation, Australia can do better," Ms Mundine said.

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