Indigenous Affairs minister Linda Burney has said the government is actively exploring other framework options for consulting with Indigenous communities in the wake of the Voice to Parliament's rejection.
Speaking to the ABC, the minister said there is 'a huge agenda' going forward, alluding to the idea of local and regional voices, a sub-set of the proposed national body, and positive takeaways from the referendum's defeat.
"It's a very live discussion," she told RN.
"I'm a bit of a glass half full person and I think that the first thing to do is look at the silver linings in what was a very difficult defeat of the referendum.
"What we've seen is a group of young Aboriginal and Torres Islander people get involved in the political process. We had 6 million Australians say yes," she said.
Ms Burney also pointed out , particularly communities in the Northern Territory.
"What that said to me is that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people wanted this change and those votes are really important ... so are the voices of those places," she said.
The minister said she was also committed to addressing those areas she had intended for the Voice to focus on: housing, education, health and employment.
She also pointed to existing structures, such as the First Peoples Assembly and Yoorrook Justice Commission in Victoria, which aim to improve the lives of First Nations people.
Closing the Gap targets not on track
The minister's comments come on the heels of the first post-referendum meeting of the Joint Council on Closing the Gap on Friday.
With all state and territory Aboriginal Affairs ministers present, the minister pointed to the continuing disparities imposed on First Nations people.
Minister Burney says that one of the outcomes of the failed referendum was that it shone a light on the issues impacting First Nations people.
"The one thing we all learnt out of the referendum was that the situation for Aboriginal people in this country is not acceptable," she said.
"The important thing is that we change the life trajectory for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. In a first world nation like Australia, it's unacceptable," she said.
Truth-telling must 'complement states' work'
While Ms Burney pointed to the 'healthy' discussions around state and territory based treaties, a federal treaty remains up in the air.
"I am not saying I've got a model in my mind, but ... what I'm hearing very clearly from Aboriginal communities is the importance of truth-telling," she said.
"I think whatever the Commonwealth does, it has to compliment and work with state and territories," she said.
Despite it being revealed that Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk acknowedged that the path to treaty is a long way off after the result of the referendum, Ms Burney said that Queensland Minister Leeanne Enoch has "not given up"
"I have every faith in the Queensland government," Linda Burney said.
Ms Burney also addressed the rumours around her resigning.
"There is much to be done, I'm completely committed to my job and I am going to pursue it and make sure I deliver on the things I've talked about today... for the whole term.
"If there's anyone that thinks that the Aboriginal affairs portfolio is just about the referendum then they are very wrong," she said.
