Respect for both Mundine and Pearson: PM

Prime Minister Tony Abbott is not about to buy into a name-calling contest over indigenous recognition in the constitution.

Responding to his top indigenous adviser Warren Mundine labelling a recognition proposal from indigenous leader Noel Pearson "dangerous" and "radical", Mr Abbott said he respected both opinions and welcomed debate.

"People are entitled to say there are better ways of doing it ... but what we need to do is go forward together as a country," he told reporters in western Sydney on Wednesday.