Australia asks miners to back referendum on Indigenous rights

FILE PHOTO - Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese meets with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (not seen) during the Annual Australia–Japan Leaders' Meeting in Perth, Australia October 22, 2022. Richard Wainwright/Pool via REUTERS

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia on Thursday urged its multi-billion dollar mining industry to support the government's plans for a referendum to give the country's Indigenous people a voice in parliament.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's Labor government is seeking a referendum, required to alter the constitution, on recognising Indigenous people in the constitution and requiring consultation with them on decisions that affect their lives.