This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

Scott Morrison has rejected the Uluru statement’s call for an Indigenous voice to parliament by claiming that the body would constitute a “third chamber”, a characterisation emphatically rejected by Indigenous Australians.

In an interview on Radio National on Wednesday the new prime minister signalled there would be no change of policy since Malcolm Turnbull rejected the voice, and even walked back his own suggestion on Tuesday for a new national day to recognise Indigenous Australians.

Asked about the voice proposal – which has stalled since Turnbull rejected it in October – Morrison said he didn’t support a “third chamber” of parliament. When the broadcaster Fran Kelly rejected that characterisation, Morrison replied: “It really is. People can dress it up any way they like – but I think two chambers is enough.

“The implications of how this works, frankly, lead to those same conclusions and I share the view that I don’t think that’s a workable proposal.”

Morrison said he was passionate about reconciliation – “that doesn’t mean we have to agree with every proposal, but every proposal will be treated with respect”.

Prof Megan Davis, a constitutional law expert and member of the disbanded Referendum Council, has accused Turnbull of being “elaborately dishonest” in suggesting the voice would have veto power and would examine every piece of legislation.

Other senior Indigenous and legal voices have characterised rejection of the voice as “mean-spirited bastardry”. Polling suggests that a majority of Australians support an Indigenous voice to parliament.

On Tuesday Morrison said Australia should be “acknowledging the great work of Indigenous Australians and their contribution to our nation”, without changing the date of Australia Day from 26 January. That date is offensive to many Indigenous Australians because it marks the arrival of the first fleet in 1788.

On Wednesday Morrison clarified that he “simply said” that Australia Day should remain “the top national holiday of the year”.

“Nothing else is set out to replace it or provide an alternative to it, that is the national day – where all Australians come together, First Australians to our most recent.”

Despite proposing a discussion about a day to honour Indigenous Australians, Morrison said: “I haven’t said it’s a public holiday or not a public holiday.

“I haven’t been so specific – I just think we should have a chat about it.”

He cited the existing celebrations for Naidoc Week and the Australian Capital Territory’s Reconciliation Day, which marks the anniversary of the 1967 referendum to count Indigenous Australians in the population.

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“A lot of people said we’ve got a lot of these. Let’s just look at it: are we doing something which sufficiently acknowledges the great contribution and success of our Indigenous peoples?

“Some may say yes, some may say no but I can tell you one thing for certain – Australia Day ain’t changing.”

Morrison did not nominate where the idea for a new Indigenous day came from but said it’s a “good discussion to have”. After a request from Guardian Australia, the prime minister’s office was not able to nominate any process of consultation to consider the idea.