Anthony Albanese says his government will not pursue a legislated Voice to Parliament in the event of a failed referendum next weekend.
On Sunday the Prime Minister ruled out a watered-down Voice on ABC insiders, citing "respect" for the Australian public's decision if the no vote is turned out.
"What we've done here…is respect the request for Indigenous Australians for recognition in the form that they have asked for through the Uluru statement," Mr Albanese said.
"But we will also respect the response of Australians next Saturday…It means that if Australians vote no, I don't believe that it would be appropriate to then go and say 'oh, well, you've had your say, but we're going to legislate anyway'.
"So what we will do is respect the outcome of the referendum."
His stance came a day after casting his own vote at a pre-polling station in Sydney.
A successful referendum requires a double-majority, meaning the majority of voters and the majority of states vote in favour of an enshrined Voice.
In the absence of Constitutional protection secured by a successful referendum, Mr Albanese said he would not risk putting a legislated Voice in place which could be dissolved by any future government.
"Indigenous Australians have said they want a voice that's enshrined, what they don't want to do as what they've done time and time again, which is to be a part of establishing representative organisations, only to see, for opportunistic reasons, a government to come in and just abolish it," he said.
"All of that social capital…that investment at their heart and soul, which has been ripped away so many times.
"That's what this referendum is about. It is about listening. And if a voice is about listening to Indigenous Australians we need to listen to the gracious request that they have made."
Polling has suggested a decline in support for the Voice in recent months.
Opposition leader Peter Dutton has flagged the potential for legislated local and regional Voices under a coalition government, and constitutional recognition of Indigenous people, while simultaneously opposing a voice with constitutional protection.
On Sunday deputy opposition leader Sussan Ley told Sky News she "absolutely" supports commitments made by Mr Dutton.
"We're committed to a policy that recognises our first Australians in the constitution and so many Australians agree with us," she said.
Ms Ley said division caused by the Voice proposal means a "lose-lose" situation for Australians whatever the outcome on October 14, and that she would be voting no "with a heavy heart".
