Don't rush referendum: new LNP senator

The first female indigenous senator for the Liberal National Party says a referendum on constitutional recognition should not be rushed.

Newly-endorsed Queensland LNP senator Joanna Lindgren, the great-niece of the first federal indigenous parliamentarian Neville Bonner, says the referendum is important but should not disadvantage anyone.

It would be nice if it could take place by 2017, she says.

"But I'd rather we don't rush into it and if the prime minister and the coalition feel that the wording needs to be exactly right then I'm happy to support them," she told ABC radio on Thursday.

The former high school teacher plans to take a special interest in indigenous affairs, apart from education and training.