Liberals expected to give MPs freedom to campaign as they wish on Indigenous voice

The Liberal party is expected to allow members the freedom to campaign however they wish on the Indigenous voice to parliament referendum, defying advice from former prime minister John Howard.

But several Liberal sources told Guardian Australia they expected the party would eventually resolve on a free vote, citing the usual freedom of party members to vote as they wished on legislation.

The government is expected to outline more concrete information about the voice and referendum in early 2023, when a civics education campaign and a public advertising push from supporters are scheduled to begin.

Bragg, the senator from NSW, noted precedents of the marriage equality postal survey and the 1999 republic referendum, where Liberals were not bound to follow a concrete party position.

The Nationals leader, David Littleproud, said his party, too, was waiting for more detail before settling a position.

Bragg has long advocated for a voice to parliament, but also said the government needed to provide more specific detail before it could have a hope of success. He suggested a parliamentary committee to discuss and examine the proposal.

Former Labor president and Liberal candidate Warren Mundine said last month that groups against the voice were in talks to set up their own campaign body.

Several Coalition politicians have said their position will be influenced heavily by the stances of Price as well as Liddle, a senator for South Australia and an Arrernte woman. Liddle backed the broad concept but called on the government to release further details.