‘Right side of history’: Dutton called out by new Indigenous Australians Minister

Opposition leader Peter Dutton has been offered a shot at redemption by a key member of Australia’s new ministry.

Incoming Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney has thrown down the gauntlet for opposition leader Peter Dutton to support a referendum on an Indigenous voice to parliament.

In a speech during Reconciliation Week on Tuesday evening, Ms Burney offered Mr Dutton a chance to be on “the right side of history”.

“There is no one for whom supporting a referendum for a voice to parliament presents a bigger political opportunity than Peter Dutton,” Ms Burney said.

Mr Dutton walked out of an apology to the Stolen Generations in 2008 – a decision he has since referred to as a “mistake”.

Incoming Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney said the path to reconciliation was about growth and change. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

“Peter Dutton has in recent days reflected on what it is like to be on the wrong side of history … but you know what? We all grow, and we all change, and there is no shame in that at all,” Ms Burney said.

“In fact that is what the journey of reconciliation is all about and it is a path I would be very pleased to walk with Peter Dutton and the Liberal Party.”

Ms Burney delivered this year’s Lowitja O'Donoghue oration in Adelaide – a tradition to honour the renowned Indigenous community leader.

Speaking with reporters on Monday, Mr Dutton said he would be willing to support a referendum and was waiting on the government to provide details.

He explained his decision to walk out of the Apology was based on the belief it was a tokenistic gesture.

Mr Dutton said he believed at the time the 2008 apology to the Stolen Generations was a purely symbolic gesture. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Tracey Nearmy

“At the time, I believed that the apology should be given when the problems were resolved and the problems are not resolved,” Mr Dutton said.

“The advancement of Aboriginal people in our country, education, health outcomes, Closing The Gap, all the rest of it — we have all failed.”

Ms Burney acknowledged the challenge of a referendum succeeding – with just eight of the previous 44 having done so – but said she knew Australia was ready.

“If we are all flexible, and we all accept some level of compromise, together, this parliament could unite to inspire our country to something really great,” she said.