Peter Dutton accused of ‘not listening’ to Indigenous people after vowing recognition referendum if voice vote fails

Peter Dutton said holding a simple referendum on constitutional recognition was a ‘fair compromise’ for prime minister Anthony Albanese to consider, before describing the voice as ‘divisive’. Photograph: Darren England/AAP

Indigenous leaders have accused Peter Dutton of “kicking the can down the road” after the opposition leader vowed to hold another referendum on constitutional recognition if the voice vote fails and the Coalition win the next election.

Dutton told Sky News on Sunday that, if elected, his party would send Australians back to the ballot box to vote on constitutional recognition instead of a voice to parliament, saying it is “the right thing to do” and he supported “regional voices”.