Voice to Parliament must be listened to, not just 'heard', inquiry told

Dancers from the Torres Strait opened proceedings at a parliamentary committee inquiry hearing in Cairns with a ceremonial performance. (ABC Far North: Christopher Testa)

Leaders from Torres Strait Islander communities have told an inquiry they want an Indigenous Voice to Parliament "to be listened to, not just to be heard".

The parliamentary committee examining the issue ahead of the referendum due later this year sat in Cairns on Wednesday.