Coalition urges Anthony Albanese to revert to its approach on Voice or risk failure

The Prime Minister has shrugged off claims he’s at risk of “mucking up” a referendum to enshrine a First Nations voice in the constitution.

Anthony Albanese has been urged to dump his proposed model on a Voice to parliament and revert to the body endorsed by Indigenous academics during the life of the Morrison government.

Opposition legal affairs spokesman Julian Leeser accused the government of “mucking up” the referendum to formally recognise First Nations people in the constitution.

But the Prime Minister emphatically dismissed Mr Leeser’s suggestion he was risking social and racial cohesion by going through with a referendum that has no guarantee of succeeding.

“I say if not now, when? Indigenous people expect this to be advanced,” Mr Albanese told reporters in Adelaide.

The Prime Minister shrugged off criticism from Mr Leeser. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Luis Ascui

“If you don't run on the field you cannot win. You cannot succeed.”

Mr Leeser outlined his grievances with the federal government’s approach during an address to the National Press Club ahead of a special meeting later this week where Liberals will thrash out a position.

The frontbencher, who has long-held support for the Voice, called for a return to the model outlined in the co-design report by Marcia Langton and Tom Calma, which would establish local, regional and national bodies.

He raised concern that the proposal, based on advice from the referendum working group, was now a “top down” approach.

Julian Leeser made the bold call for the government to drop the model in a speech on Monday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“The truth is a national voice that is not accountable to local and regional voices will do little to help people at the local levels,” Mr Leeser told reporters in Canberra on Monday.

“If anything it might heighten disconnection and disillusionment.”

The Langton-Calma report was commissioned by the former Morrison government but was not acted on despite being presented to cabinet several times.

Last week, Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus introduced the proposal to alter the constitution to a standing ovation from the public gallery.

The Bill paves the way for a referendum to be held later this year, likely between October and December.

The opposition has repeatedly raised concerns the draft working of the constitutional amendment could leave the door open to a potential High Court challenge.

Mr Leeser confirmed that his leader, Peter Dutton, would call MPs back to Canberra on Wednesday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Mr Leeser said the government must eliminate questions about who the Voice advisory body could make representations to.

“Why leave it to the High Court to decide what the constitution means by ‘make representations’,” he said.

Mr Albanese branded Mr Leeser’s comments as another “attempt to undermine the prospects of a successful referendum”.

“I'm yet to see any actual suggestions from the opposition for change wording,” he said.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has summoned Liberal MPs back to Canberra on Wednesday to firm up the party’s position on the Voice.

Hopes of bipartisanship support were dashed last year when the Nationals announced they would not support the referendum, but some within Liberal ranks have called on Mr Dutton to grant MPs a conscious vote – as was the case during the republic referendum.

Ken Wyatt stood alongside the referendum working group when Mr Albanese unveiled the Voice’s proposed wording. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Jason Wood, who represents the seat of La Trobe on Melbourne’s metropolitan fringe, told Sky News that after surveying his constituents he would favour a conscience vote.

“I’d prefer we go to a conscience vote in the party room, allowing members to have their choice,” he said.

Ken Wyatt, the former Indigenous Australians minister who brought the Langton-Calma report to the Morrison cabinet, said a conscience vote would “allow this country to move forward”.

“I would hope that the leadership would give members a conscience vote,” he told Sky News.

Originally published as Coalition urges Anthony Albanese to revert to its approach on Voice or risk failure