Why this man received a standing ovation

Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus introduced the Bill on Thursday, paving the way for a referendum to be held later this year.

“It is the first formal step towards holding a referendum by the end of this year,” Mr Dreyfus said on the floor of the chamber.

“The constitutional amendment in this Bill will rectify over 120 years of explicit exclusion in provisions of Australia’s founding legal document.”

Firing back at critics, Mr Dreyfus said the Voice would complement the existing structures of the Australian democratic system and “make a difference”.

“It creates an independent institution that speaks to the parliament and the executive government but does not replace, direct, or impede the actions of either.”

“Recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in our founding legal document and listening to their views on laws and policies that matter to them will make a difference.”

The public gallery joined with Labor benches in a standing ovation for Mr Dreyfus at the end of his address. Only a dozen Coalition MPs were in the chamber for the Bill’s introduction.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese last week unveiled the wording of the question that will be put to the Australian people.

“A proposed law: to alter the constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voice. Do you approve this proposed alteration?”

The Liberals have indicated they will hold off on firming their position until after the wording is questioned through a parliamentary inquiry.

A joint parliament committee made up of both MPs and senators will report back on its findings in six weeks.

From there, a final vote will be held in parliament on the constitution alteration Bill.

Peter Dutton has demanded the government release the advice from the Solicitor-General on the proposal’s wording, which Labor has refused.

Mr Albanese has repeatedly said it is not practice for the government to make such advice public.

Australians will be asked to vote on the referendum sometime between October and December.