The federal government's performance on indigenous affairs is being criticised the day before its annual Closing the Gap report card is delivered to parliament.
Liberal Democrats senator David Leyonhjelm says there's not enough practical assistance, and resources are being wasted on grand gestures and "wanky bulls***".
"We are not doing anywhere near enough in a practical sense, instead we are talking about nonsense things like constitutional recognition and apologies," he told reporters in Canberra on Tuesday.
"Not one person has benefited from that, it has just made a few people feel good."
The senator was responding to the concerns of indigenous leader Patrick Dodson who argues the Closing the Gap policy doesn't have buy-in from Aboriginal communities.
He believes a new approach is desperately needed.
"We're basically changing the table cloth on a table without really realising that the white ants are eating the legs out of the table," he told ABC Radio.
Mr Dodson also questioned Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's commitment to indigenous affairs.
"I think it's a problem if the leader of the country is not paying attention to these significant issues that are affecting indigenous peoples in this country."
A spokesman for Mr Turnbull said the prime minister had "met and spoken to several indigenous leaders and people, and will continue to seek a diverse range of views as we progress indigenous policy matters".
The Greens have written to Mr Turnbull asking him to make indigenous affairs a priority.
"Without prime ministerial leadership, there is a very real risk that Closing the Gap will not be achieved and debate won't advance," Greens senator Rachel Siewert said.
