Voice referendum bills still on track for parliament, Labor says, despite impasse in negotiations

The Albanese government plans to progress two bills to set up the Indigenous voice referendum in the coming parliamentary fortnight, remaining confident the process remains on track despite its expert group of Aboriginal leaders still finalising its crucial advice to cabinet.

Guardian Australia approached a number of working group members, all of whom declined to comment beyond saying that progress was being made. There had been heightened anticipation before the meeting that it would lead to a resolution on the exact wording of the referendum question, so that advice could be given to the government ahead of parliament resuming next week.

The government had planned to progress the Referendum Machinery Act amendments through the parliament this coming week, and introduce the constitutional amendment in the following week of 27 March.

It is understood the government hopes to then pass the constitution bill in June, to allow a referendum to take place by the end of the year.