"Australia's top companies back Indigenous Voice as public support wavers", 16 June 2023

Some of Australia's biggest companies, including miners, banks and retailers, are emerging as powerful sources of support for a campaign to recognise the country's Indigenous people in the constitution, a development that could sway the outcome of a referendum later this year.

The advocacy of BHP (BHP.AX), Rio Tinto (RIO.AX), Woodside Energy (WDS.AX), Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA.AX) and others helps Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, whose center-left Labor government backs the change, and puts the opposition conservatives, who are urging a "No" vote, at odds with sections of their traditional base.

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Woodside CEO Meg O'Neill said in April that the Voice would be a "step forward in reconciliation". The company told Reuters it had invited Indigenous leaders to address employees about the proposal, a similar approach to other poll respondents.

Commonwealth Bank told Reuters it plans to fund the "Yes" campaign and had hosted two panel discussions with Indigenous speakers.

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BHP and Rio Tinto said they have supported the Voice concept since 2019. Fortescue Metals (FMG.AX) and Newcrest (NCM.AX) said they have not taken a position.

Rio Tinto, which faced criticism in 2020 for destroying Indigenous rock shelters, said the Voice would bring an "additional lens" to government decision-making.