Some of the country’s most influential company directors have publicly pledged support for the Indigenous Voice to parliament, urging Australians to vote for the advisory body as an opportunity to improve decision-making and wind back disadvantage.

Amid heated politics about the looming referendum, leading non-executive directors including former ANZ chairman David Gonski, Westpac board member Nora Scheinkestel, and Telstra and IFM Investors director Ming Long have signed on to a letter offering strong support for the Voice as a way to improve Indigenous governance in Australia.