Australian sports back Indigenous recognition

STORY: Sports including cricket, golf, motorsport, netball and badminton pledged support for a proposed "Voice to Parliament," a consultative committee that would advise legislators on matters affecting Indigenous people.

Last week, Rugby Australia and the Australian Football League (AFL) endorsed the referendum, which is likely to be held between October and December, when voters will be asked if they want to change the constitution to include the Voice.

Former sportspeople including cricketer Jason Gillespie, footballer Jade North and Rugby League player and coach Mal Meninga read out a statement in support of the referendum, boosting the "Yes" campaign, after some polls showed the lead tightening for them.

Making up about 3.2% of Australia's 26 million population, Aboriginal people were marginalised by British colonial rulers and are not mentioned in the 122-year-old constitution.