Fears Indigenous recognition momentum stalling

The prime minister's top indigenous adviser believes Australia should have a referendum on Aboriginal recognition in the constitution sooner rather than later.

Warren Mundine, who chairs the Tony Abbott's indigenous advisory council, fears momentum for constitutional change is dropping.

"I think we need to do it sooner rather than later," he told Sky News.

Mr Mundine supports having it held before the next election.

It's believed Mr Abbott favours a 2017 time frame.

If held in 2017, the referendum would mark 50 years since Australians voted to count Aboriginal people in the census

Mr Mundine called on Mr Abbott and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten to sit down and nut out a proposal to put to the people.