The Minister for Indigenous Affairs has defended Noel Pearson's about-face on constitutional recognition of indigenous people, and says the idea of having a proposed declaration should be debated.
Nigel Scullion says the plan advocated by Mr Pearson is not a watering down of the push for recognition, nor is it splitting the support for constitutional recognition.
"It involves substantial legislative change. It also involves support for the removal of section 25 in the Constitution, so he's not doing everything outside of the Constitution," he told reporters on Elcho Island.
Section 25 permits state laws to prevent a group from voting on the basis of race.
"We need innovative ideas, we need new ideas, it shouldn't be static," Senator Scullion said.
"All ideas should come into the pot for a proper discussion about how best to reflect the true history of Australia."
Mr Pearson this week backed an idea for a declaration separate to the Constitution and with no legal power, the words of which would be chosen through a national competition and voted on at a referendum to be used at national, religious and civil events.
The day of its adoption could become a public holiday to celebrate indigenous people.
Mr Pearson has warned that the current bipartisan push for constitutional change would never be accepted by conservatives.
The government has been consulting for five years on constitutional recognition, with Prime Minister Tony Abbott suggesting 2017 for the referendum.
"I think all Australians believe we need a change in our founding document to reflect the fact that the first Australians were here, the various nations they controlled, and to pay tribute to our first Australians," Senator Scullion said.
"After that adjustment I think many Australians would feel that is a completion of the document."
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