AUSTRALIA has moved one step closer to recognising its first people in the country's founding document after one of the Federal Parliament's rare moments of unity between Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott.

The two leaders committed themselves to address what the Prime Minister called ''the unhealed wound that even now lies open at the heart of our national story'' and the Opposition Leader dubbed it ''this stain on our soul''.

Working together … Prime Minister Julia Gillard met with indigenous leaders Shirley Peisley, left, and Lowitja O'Donoghue. Credit:Andrew Meares

The passage through the lower house of an Act of Recognition was met by applause from the public galleries and from indigenous leaders including Patrick Dodson and Lowitja O'Donoghue who had been invited to witness the moment from the floor of the House.

The legislation recognises the ''unique and special place'' of Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander peoples and is designed to give momentum for constitutional recognition after the election.