Scott Morrison to veto proposal for an ‘indigenous voice’ to advise parliament

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has shot down Ken Wyatt’s proposal for the creation of special indigenous body to advise parliament - a so-called “third chamber”.

The federal government has hosed down concerns within its own ranks that indigenous recognition in the constitution could pave the way for a so-called ‘third chamber’ in the nation’s parliament.

Conservative MPs had railed against the prospect after Indigenous Australians Minister Ken Wyatt said he wanted Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people recognised in the constitution within three years.

Mr Wyatt had also proposed establishing an indigenous voice to advise parliament, to be either enshrined in the nation’s founding document or through legislation.

But Prime Minister Scott Morrison has rejected enshrining a “third chamber” of parliament in the constitution.

Mr Morrison’s constitutional view has not changed, The Australian reported, citing senior government sources. Mr Morrison’s predecessor Malcolm Turnbull had also ruled out such a proposal.

“A voice to parliament ­enshrined in the Constitution is not going to happen on his watch,” a government source said, according to The Australian.

But he would consider a legislated national body comprising existing indigenous groups.

Minister for Indigenous Australians Ken Wyatt. Picture: Kym Smith

Mr Wyatt has indicated such a body could include the voices of individuals, families, communities and indigenous organisations who want to be heard by decision-makers.

Mr Wyatt also ruled out a third chamber in the federal parliament.

“It never was a third chamber,” he said in an interview with Nine Newspapers.

“It is about people, communities wanting to be heard.”

The proposal for an indigenous voice to parliament - a key recommendation of the 2017 Uluru Statement - has been a vexed issue for the coalition government for years.