Albanese jets west in the hope WA finds its voice

Anthony Albanese will host cabinet in Perth on Monday and address a business breakfast on Tuesday during his 15th visit to the state since he took office last May.

"I'm someone who doesn't have an annual visit to Western Australia, it's more like a monthly visit as prime minister," he said of the state that was crucial in handing him majority government.

Labor picked up four seats and recorded a more than seven per cent swing in its favour in 2022.

Ministers are expected to launch an election-style campaign after Mr Albanese announces the date for the referendum in Adelaide on Wednesday.

The vote, widely tipped to take place on October 14, will determine whether an Indigenous advisory body known as the voice will be enshrined in the constitution.

Mr Albanese says he hasn't written off the western state despite polling and internal party opinions largely expecting WA and Queensland to vote 'no'.

He said the feedback he had heard from campaigners in WA was that people were receptive to the argument when the question was explained to them simply.

"This is a very gracious request from Indigenous people, just to be recognised and to be listened to through the voice," he said.

South Australia and Tasmania are largely seen as the two swing states and are a major focus for the 'yes' campaign although various polls have support for the voice tracking backward.

Defence Minister Richard Marles said the 'yes' case would ramp up efforts across the country in the lead up to the vote.

"There is a yearning around Australia to see a proper recognition of our First Nations people. We need to be doing this in a way where we do close the gap," he told ABC TV on Monday.

"The fact that a part of our population, by virtue of their birth, end up living shorter lives, less healthy lives, receive less education and are poorer, is simply not acceptable."

But Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said the voice would not assist those in regional communities.

"I don't believe that the prime minister's proposal on the voice is in our country's best interests," he told reporters in Brisbane.

"I don't believe it will provide assistance to people ... where we see a desperate situation for Indigenous Australians."

Nationals leader David Littleproud said regardless of when the referendum is held it will be a tight vote.

"It's going to be a very close contest. And to that extent, that's the disappointing thing. Unfortunately the prime minister has divided this country," he told ABC TV.

"If the question had been solely about constitutional recognition, as we've said from the start, that's a proposal that the Nationals were prepared to be constructive in working through."

Australian Associated Press