Factbox-Five things to know about Australia's planned Indigenous referendum

FILE PHOTO: Australian Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders wearing traditional dress stand in front of Government House after performing in a welcoming ceremony in Sydney, Australia, June 28, 2017. REUTERS/David Gray/File Photo

The Australian government on Thursday took the first formal step towards a referendum to recognise Indigenous people in the constitution and set up an Indigenous "Voice to Parliament" to advise lawmakers on matters that impact their lives.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, who represent about 3.2% of Australia's nearly 26 million people, are not mentioned in the constitution.