Tony Abbott won't rush a referendum on constitutional recognition for indigenous Australians despite an opinion poll showing it would pass if held now.
A Recognise-commissioned survey found three out of four Australians would vote for constitutional recognition in a referendum which Mr Abbott wants held in 2017.
A parliamentary inquiry chaired by indigenous Liberal MP Ken Wyatt has yet to indicate which of three options for constitutional change it supports.
The prime minister said the inquiry's final report was an important step towards recognition.
"I'm determined to get this done, but it's more important to get it right than to rush it," Mr Abbott told reporters in Mackay on Monday.
"It would be about completing our constitution, not changing it."
Mr Wyatt's committee had pushed for a referendum by 2016, but Mr Abbott wants to avoid a bipartisan issue being canvassed in an election year.
The poll of 2700 voters in the wider community and 750 indigenous Australians found the majority of people in the majority of states would vote yes - the key requirement for a referendum to pass.
Opposition leader Bill Shorten is urging Mr Abbott to meet indigenous leaders to discuss the next steps towards recognition.
Mr Shorten also has been keen to discuss the issue with the prime minister and is confident it will happen.
"If I can get Tony Abbott to the meeting, I'll be happy," he told reporters in Melbourne.
