PM floats delay to indigenous referendum

Scott Morrison has overruled the minister for indigenous Australians and flagged a possible delay to a referendum on constitutional recognition.

Ken Wyatt has previously said he wants to hold the national vote by mid-next year but the prime minister has refused to commit to a timeline.

"I am not going to allow any timelines to prevent the successful achievement of this result," Mr Morrison told federal parliament on Wednesday.

"My position on this matter I have set out very clearly.

"Those opposite (Labor) have a very different view as to the manner and form of this to those in the government, and I think that presents a lack of consensus."

Labor wants the referendum to focus on enshrining an indigenous voice to parliament in the constitution, as proposed in the 2017 Uluru Statement.

The prime minister has rejected the idea, wanting a voice to government to be legislated instead.