NSW minister Andrew Constance has dismissed another frontbencher's idea to replace the Labour Day public holiday with a "Corroboree Day" celebrating Indigenous Australians.
Senior minister David Elliott on Monday told Sydney media the existing public holiday - which celebrates the eight-hour working day - had lost its relevance and a change would bring people together.
It comes after Prime Minister Scott Morrison last week flagged a new national day be created, separate to Australia Day on January 26, to celebrate Aboriginal culture.
"I don't think there's anything on today at all which says ... this is a day for commemoration," Mr Elliott told 2GB radio on Monday's Labour Day holiday.
"This (his idea) is all about bringing people together, this is about celebrating success and achievement for Indigenous Australians, who in the past have had to face adversity."
But Mr Elliott's suggestion was given short shrift by Mr Constance who said he wasn't interested in "unnecessary politics".
"I represent a very large Aboriginal community in Bega - I can tell you now that they are not interested in tokenism," the state's Liberal transport minister told reporters in Sydney.
"What they are interested in is nutrition for their kids, jobs, health, education opportunities and being able to tackle some of those key challenges besetting our Aboriginal community in this state and nationwide."
Mr Morrison's suggestion last week was attacked by some Indigenous Australians, conservatives and business groups alarmed at the prospect of an additional public holiday.
The prime minister has since back-pedalled arguing there could be a separate opportunity - but not necessarily an additional day - to mark the contribution of Indigenous people.
