Noel Pearson believes there is a "swag" of Australians softly siding on either side of the Voice debate with questions needing to be answered to swing no voters back over the line.
While campaigning in Western Australia this week, Mr Pearson told 6PR radio that among "big group in the middle of genuinely undecided people" votes are "up for grabs" across the spectrum, the Yes campaign needs to work on convincing some voters past their doubts.
"There's a swag of so-called soft yeses who are inclined towards voting yes, but they need some arguments to do so. We've got to close off on that mob," he said on Tuesday.
"And then there's a big swag of soft no's, and they're the ones I've been talking to for weeks and weeks…They're the ones who have a lot of questions."
Mr Pearson said around two-to-three of every four people leaning against the Voice could be "swung back" if their questions raised over the course of the debate are answered.
The Indigenous leader and lawyer said October 14 differs from Australia's most recent referendum on whether to become a republic with the inclusion of "substance" for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at stake.
The 1999 referendum also included a portion to insert a preamble, among other things, 'honouring Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders, the nation's first people, for their deep kinship with their lands and for their ancient and continuing cultures which enrich the life of our country'.
Mr Pearson said this referendum offers "symbolic" recognition of first peoples before going a step further.
"This time around, we're going with a symbolic phrase at the beginning about the recognition of First Peoples of Australia, and then we have the substance. And the substance is an advisory committee that would provide representations to the Parliament and the Executive Government on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people," he said.
"That's an important phrase on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people…It is on matters relating to our people - health, education, jobs, all of the things we need to fix up in relation to Indigenous affairs."
While heralding the achievements of many First Nations Australians, Mr Pearson said a Voice to Parliament presents a new opportunity for disadvantaged people living in a "parlous" position.
"Our people are good people, but we occupy the lowest position in the country, but we can do it. People like me, people like so many other Aboriginal Australians who have done well in this country, show that it can be done. Now we want it done for the people of the Western Desert, of the Kimberley, of the Pilbara," he said.
"Too many of our people in the communities are living short lives, living lives mired in welfare dependency, burying their relatives every other week and with low school attendance, poor health. These are the things that we need to get serious on if we're going to address the too-often sad situation of our people."
Mr Pearson told 6PR a Voice to Parliament "does not take away the rights of any other Australian" are remains confident non-Indigenous people will recognise this.
Facing falling support in polls, he said the Yes campaign has four weeks to continue making their case, and referred to previous election results going against expectations.
