Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has labelled the proposed Indigenous voice an "overcorrection", telling federal parliament the referendum proposal would be a reckless roll of the dice.
Debate on enshrining an Indigenous voice in the constitution got under way on Monday ahead of a referendum on the issue later this year.
Mr Dutton said the referendum would further divide the country, warning the proposed constitutional change should be setting off alarm bells.
"Changing our constitution to enshrine a voice will take our country backwards, not forwards. The voice is regressive, not progressive," he told parliament.
"Our constitution is not something to be toyed with lightly."
The bill on the voice will finalise the wording that would be placed in the constitution should the referendum succeed, and the question that would be put to voters.
The Liberal leader reiterated his previous criticism of the voice proposal, arguing not enough detail was known about the model.
The proposed voice would permanently divide the country by race, he said, in claims rejected by the government.
"This referendum on the voice will undermine our quality of citizenship. It's an overcorrection," Mr Dutton said.
"If the government wants you to vote on a voice not knowing what it is or what it can do, the approach is a reckless roll of the dice."
Debate on the voice in parliament follows the release of a parliamentary committee report on the bill, which recommended it pass without changes.
The Liberals have called for constitutional recognition for Indigenous people, but back a legislated body for regional voices, rather than a national entity.
Yet Mr Dutton labelled the process a "kangaroo court", saying there was no constitutional convention to go over the changes.
Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney rejected the claims made by the opposition leader, saying the concern was part of a misinformation and scare campaign.
"In 2023, it is time for recognition. It's time for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voice to the parliament, because (they) have not enjoyed the same opportunities of so many other Australians," she told parliament.
"Constitutional recognition through a voice to the parliament is about giving Indigenous Australians a say in matters that affect us. It means delivering structural change."
Ms Burney said the process to establish the voice had not been rushed, instead being developed over many years with the support of Indigenous people and outlined in the 2017 Uluru statement.
While concerns have been raised on the voice being able to advise executive government, the minister said the approach was the right one.
"The constitutional amendment before the parliament takes the right form. It's symbolic and practical," she said.
"It recognises 65,000 years of Australian history, makes our system of government stronger. It makes a practical difference on the ground."
A vote on the bill is expected to be held in the lower house next week, before debate shifts to the Senate.
The referendum is due to be held between October and December this year.
Liberal MP Keith Wolahan, who was part of a parliamentary committee examining the bill on the referendum, said concerns about the voice should not be dismissed.
"We know that well-meaning Australians will hold views that do not align with the press releases of their corporate employer, their professional associations, their sporting codes, or the views of their family, their friends and their political party," he said.
"(Those who spoke against the voice are) not afflicted by subconscious racism or bedwetting, or the odious slur 'Judas betrayal'. They are our fellow Australians."
