Indigenous Australians are concerned constitutional reform may be "forever sidelined," five months after the historic convention in Uluru delivered key reforms.
In May, hundreds of indigenous delegates delivered proposals for a First Nations advisory body enshrined in the constitution and embedded in parliament, as well as a legislated treaties commission.
"We really need leadership from the government, from the prime minister and the leader of the opposition, so that this agenda is not forever sidelined," former Referendum Council member Noel Pearson told the ABC.
Liberal senator James Paterson said there were a lot of big questions to answer before the parliament made any decision about putting a question to the public in a referendum.
"Personally, I'm not convinced that the model that was arrived at, at Uluru, is the right one," Senator Paterson told reporters in Canberra on Tuesday.
"It's a very new idea, and it's an idea who's detail has not yet been spelt out."
Those details include how members of an advisory body would be elected in order to be representative.
Labor senator Jenny McAllister said it was extraordinary that the government had not yet responded to the Uluru statement.
"From opposition, Labor is keen to engage with indigneous people, with First Nations people, about their aspirations," Senator McAllister said.
"I do not understand why this government cannot find it within themselves to do the same thing."
But Greens senator Peter Whish-Wilson said there had been no bigger champion for constitutional reform than the Greens.
"We've certainly worked very hard with indigenous leaders and indigenous communities over many many years," he said.
"Of course, we share their frustration."
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