A prominent Indigenous advocate has told Australia's leaders the voice to parliament is about respect, as all states and territories signed on to support constitutional reform.
The prime minister, premiers and chief ministers signed a statement of intent to work collaboratively and support a constitutionally enshrined voice.
The signing came after Indigenous leader Pat Turner briefed the leaders on the connection between closing the wellbeing gap and constitutional recognition.
"This is a reform that should be above party politics," Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said after the signing.
"This is about two things: recognition and consultation."
The statement said constitutional reform was a significant opportunity for recognition and acknowledged the "enduring strength of First People leadership".
It also recognised the importance of consulting them on matters directly affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.
Ms Turner is understood to have told the meeting there was a direct link between constitutional recognition and practical outcomes, as the leaders re-endorsed a national closing the gap agreement initially signed in 2020.
She has been invited to address each state and territory cabinet on how to improve Indigenous service delivery, which the prime minister said required an effort across all levels of government and departments, including health, education and housing.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has held out lending his support for the voice, saying while all parties wanted to work towards closing the gap, there wasn't enough detail on the proposed constitutional change to determine whether it would work.
He also accused the prime minister of withholding details of the voice as a deliberate political strategy.
"Like all Australians, we want to see a better outcome for the Indigenous people of our country," he told Nine's Today program on Friday.
"We are willing to look at any measure to do that. There are lots of questions around the voice and lots of detail that hasn't yet been provided."
Mr Dutton has asked about who would be eligible to serve on the body, how they would be appointed, what they would consult on, and how it would impact people's lives.
But the prime minister has proposed a simple change to the constitution - enshrining an Indigenous voice to parliament - with the fine detail to be debated and endorsed by parliament.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said he agreed with the principle of the referendum.
"It should be above politics," the Liberal premier said when asked if he'd consulted with his federal colleagues.
"It should be a moment which unites the country, doesn't divide the country."
A delegation of Indigenous leaders from around the country will travel to Canberra when parliament resumes to continue to push MPs on a constitutionally enshrined voice.
Leaders from Cape York, inner Sydney, Goulburn-Murray and the Kimberley will seek to meet with members from all sides of politics next week to share their experiences from their local communities.
Cape York leader Fiona Jose said the voice could shift the dial on disadvantage in areas such as education, health care, employment and cultural protections.
"Our local and regional communities must be empowered to partner with government to action strong solutions," she said.
"It's a practical and enduring way for Australia to recognise its first peoples."
