AUSTRALIA’S senate voted today to hold a referendum this year on creating an “Indigenous Voice to Parliament,” an advocate aiming to give the nation’s most disadvantaged ethnic minority greater say over government policy.

Dozens of mainly Indigenous people stood up in the public galleries and applauded when senators passed the referendum Bill 52 votes to 19.

The senate vote means the referendum must be held on a Saturday in a two- to six-month window.

Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney, the first Indigenous woman to hold the job, described the Senate vote as the “final hurdle” toward the referendum.

Ms Burney told reporters: “Today the political debate ends. Today we can start a national conversation at the community level about what a ‘voice’ is, why it’s needed and how it will make a practical difference.”

While the role would advocate for Indigenous interests, it would not give Indigenous Australians a vote on laws.

Supporters of the proposals hope the role will improve living standards for Indigenous Australians, who account for 3.2 per cent of Australia’s population and are the nation’s most disadvantaged ethnic group.

If the referendum is passed, it would be Australia’s first successful referendum since 1977.

Debate on the issue has become increasingly contentious — even among those of Indigenous descent.

Opposition Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, who is Indigenous, said the proposal was already dividing Australia along racial lines.

She said: “I want to see Australia move forward as one, not two divided. That’s why I will be voting ‘no’.”

Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe said the proposal was “appeasing white guilt in this country by giving the poor little black fellas a powerless advisory body.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said: “This is an opportunity to do things better. Instead of doing things for Indigenous Australians, make change with Indigenous Australians.”

Australia’s house of representatives last month voted overwhelmingly in support of holding the referendum.