PM: Australia to vote on indigenous advisory body in 12 months

An Aboriginal flag is held aloft during a Black Lives Matter protest to express solidarity with US protesters and demand an end to Aboriginal deaths in custody, in Perth on June 13, 2020. (TREVOR COLLENS / AFP)

CANBERRA — Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has promised a referendum on establishing an Indigenous voice to Parliament will be held within 12 months.

Addressing the annual Woodford Folk Festival on Wednesday, Albanese told the crowd that the referendum will have been held by this time next year.

More than half of all voters nationally and a majority in at least four out of six states must vote in favor

The referendum will ask Australians if they support an alteration to the Constitution that would establish an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to act as an advisory body to Parliament.

READ MORE: Australia to develop plan to safeguard Aboriginal heritage

"This is an opportunity for all of us to be a part of enriching our nation and being even stronger in the future," Albanese said.

"This will give respect to First Nations people, and it will enhance both the way Australians see ourselves, and the way we are seen by the world."

In order to be successful, the referendum must achieve a double majority, meaning more than half of all voters nationally and a majority in at least four out of six states must vote in favor.

Only eight of the 44 referendums in Australian history have been carried out.

Polling has suggested that the voice is on track to be passed.

READ MORE: Australia poll: Indigenous people call for inclusion in constitution

Ahead of the vote, the Opposition has called for the government to release more details on how the voice will function.

However, Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney said its rules and functions would be determined after the vote if it is successful.

"The people will vote on the principle, for Indigenous people to be guaranteed a fairer say on the laws and policies made about them, and parliament will legislate the detail," she said.