Rio Tinto and BHP announced they are supporting a push for Indigenous Australians to be recognized in the Constitution.

"The Uluru Statement is an idea whose time has come," said Richard Weston, the chief executive of the Healing Foundation, referring to the 2017 effort by Indigenous groups for a so-called First Nations Voice to be enshrined in the Constitution.

But, "The voices of Indigenous Australians are often not heard," said BHP chief executive Andrew Mackenzie.  He says the antidote for that lack of voice would be a a constitutional reform described in the Uluru state from the Heart, which would "create a rightful place for and empower Indigenous people". 

Mr. Mackenzie says spoke with indigenous leaders about "their meaningful connection to country and the power, strength and resilience of their language and culture.  And we spoke about the social and economic challenges many Indigenous Australians have overcome and many still face".

Indigenous leaders say the joint statement from the mining giants represents a "watershed" moment and urged other business leaders to follow suit.

"I'd like to encourage other corporate organisations to do the same," said Reconciliation Australia chief executive Karen Mundine.  "Millions of Australians work in corporate organisations, which are embedded in communities around the country.  How corporate organisations relate to, and engage with, these communities helps shape who we are," she added.