Prime Minister Anthony Albanese holds press conference with Shaquille O’Neal

Basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal briefly met with Australia’s Prime Minister to make a surprising announcement.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has sought support from basketball superstar Shaquille O’Neal on the referendum to bring an Indigenous Voice to parliament.

The odd pairing held a brief press conference with Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney on Saturday morning to discuss the momentous decision.

“Hello Australia, nice to see you,” the NBA superstar greeted, before moving Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney’s hand to his forehead.

NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal met with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Monique Harmer

“And I want you to know: Shaq loves Australia. All right?”

Mr O’Neal was only present at the press conference for around 10 seconds, but he towered over the two politicians.

The prime minister said Ms Burney had presented the basketball legend with a boomerang, which he joked may need a “special customs clearance” to get past border control.

For his part, Mr Albanese presented Mr O’Neal with a South Sydney Indigenous jersey and South’s jersey.

Shaq bridged the height gap between himself and Ms Burney. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Monique Harmer

The prime minister said they had a warm meeting and talked about Mr O’Neal’s interest in advancing the Voice to parliament, as well as his charity work, basketball and rugby league.

Ms Burney said Mr O’Neal’s participation shows the international interest in an Indigenous voice, which will require Australia to have a referendum.

“I’m really pleased and very proud that Shaq has sought a request through the prime minister to specifically talk about the plans that we have in relation to a referendum,” she said.

“He said it was a noble task, that it was important, and I think the most significant thing in what the prime minister has said is that we need to build a broad based support across the country for a referendum change.

The trio exchanged gifts before the brief press conference. Picture: Flavio Brancaleone

“It’s not easy in Australia. We all know that.”

Mr Albanese said the basketball player’s support was important in order to get more Australians engaged on the issue of the referendum.

“We want to build the broadest possible support and we want to engage with people who can connect with young people in particular, but with all sections of our society,” he said.

“Shaq has at that record, particularly when it comes to bringing people together of different backgrounds which is consistent with our approach to a constitutionally recognised Voice to parliament and recognising that Australian history didn’t begin in 1788.”

Shaquille O'Neal talked about his love for Australia in the short media appearance. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Monique Harmer

Ms Burney said the upcoming referendum on an Indigenous Voice to parliament is “for the Australian people”.

“As the Prime Minister said, it is about making everyone proud, and filling that glaring omission in our birth certificate of and recognising First Peoples,” she said.

There is no date set for when the referendum might be held, but the government has indicated it will be before the next election in three years’ time.

Originally published as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese holds press conference with Shaquille O’Neal