Anthony Albanese, Linda Burney at odds over if details of Voice would be released before referendum

Anthony Albanese wants to avoid the mistakes of the past but refusing to do one thing has been labelled “nuts” by one of his own ministers.

Anthony Albanese has refused to be tied down on the details of the Indigenous Voice to Parliament despite his minister declaring it would be “nuts” not to do so.

The Prime Minister would not be drawn on what information would be made available prior to a referendum, when a vote would be held, or how the body would actually function.

“We are about maximising the opportunity there. We’re appealing to the good will of the Australian people and as I said, the Australian character as I see it,” Mr Albanese told ABC’s Insiders.

But during a discussion with the program’s panel, Q&A host Stan Grant revealed the Prime Minister’s remarks opposed those of Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney.

Ms Burney said it would be “nuts” to go ahead without details being figured out. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

Ms Burney told Q&A it would be “nuts” for the vote to go ahead without the government providing more details to the public.

“There will be a lot of information out to the community about what people are voting on,” she said in a clip released ahead of Monday’s program.

“It would be nuts for that not to happen.”

According to the Q&A host, Ms Burney went on to suggest the body would be “elected”.

Her comments come in direct juxtaposition to the Prime Minister, who indicated he would prioritise the vote, opting to nutting out the details of the body later via parliament.

Mr Albanese revealed the proposed wording of the question for a referendum on the Voice. Picture: PMO

Mr Albanese said he wanted to avoid repeating the same mistakes of past failed referendums where voters were bogged down in the details.

“What I am not going to do is to go down the cul-de-sac of getting into every detail because that is not a recipe for success,” he said.

The Coalition remains sceptical about the government’s plan and on Sunday again urged Mr Albanese to release the detail, raising concerns the body would be a symbolic gesture.

“How it will operate. Who will be on it? How will that go not to just build trust across Australia but also with Indigenous communities?” Nationals leader David Littleproud told Nine.

“That would be a lost opportunity if we don't put the details in front of the Australian people so we’re held to account.”

Mr Albanese was with Ms Burney at the Garma festival at Gulkula over the weekend. Picture: PMO

It has been five years since 250 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people released the Uluru Statement from the Heart, after months of consultations across Australia.

The statement called for action on a new national advisory body and a national commission to oversee treaty negotiations.

The government has not yet set a date for the proposed referendum but has committed to a referendum on the Voice in its first term.

Greens leader Adam Bandt said he wanted to see progress on all of the elements of the statement - voice, truth and treaty.

The festival is being held for the first time in two years due to Covid. PMO supplied pics from Garma

“But, look, it is a good start that especially so early in the government's term they put on the table where they intend to go and we welcome that and we look forward to having discussions with the government about it,” he said.

Speaking earlier, Ms Burney said the government had been clear in its intention to “embrace and implement” the Uluru Statement in full.

“We will not be rushed, we will do it in consultation, we will build consensus, and part of that is truth-telling,” she told the ABC.

Originally published as Anthony Albanese, Linda Burney at odds over if details of Voice would be released before referendum