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The government's signature housing policy has suffered a major blow, with the opposition and Greens voting to delay debate on the multi-billion dollar Housing Australia Future Fund.

While debate on the $10 billion fund, which would use investment returns to build 30,000 social and affordable homes each year for five years, was set for this week in parliament, the Greens brought a motion to delay it for four months.

The delay was to allow the prime minister to negotiate rent reforms with the state and territory leaders at an upcoming national cabinet meeting.

Debate won't resume until October 16, after the coalition teamed up with the Greens to delay the move.

"We know the pressure that Australians in rental accommodation are feeling is extraordinary," Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young told parliament.

Trade Minister Don Farrell warned the Senate the government would regard the delay to the debate as part of a trigger for a possible double-dissolution election.

"If the Senate defers bills to October, the government will regard this as the Senate failing to pass the bill, and I'm sure you understand the consequences of that," he said.

Senator Farrell described the Greens and coalition voting to defer the bill as an "axis of evil".

The government was hopeful of a breakthrough of negotiations on the housing bill, after it announced a $2 billion commitment for social housing, which would be shared among the states and territories.

The Greens had said the government was not doing enough to address the housing crisis, and demanded more be done for renters in exchange for their support.

Housing Minister Julie Collins said every six months the bill is delayed, was $250 million that could have gone to building more homes.

"If this bill gets delayed until October, the Greens political party and the Liberals would have succeeded in delaying it for more than six months," she said.

Earlier, housing advocates teamed up with crossbench senators to urge the housing fund be set up without delay.

Community Housing Industry Association chief executive Wendy Hayhurst said annual funding of $500 million was now a floor, and no longer a cap.

"We now have the foundation to build on and time is marching on," she said.

"It's time to see the legislation passed."

© AAP 2023

Parliament has voted to set up the Indigenous voice referendum, paving the way for the public poll later this year.

The Senate passed laws on Monday to enable the referendum 52 to 19, and set out the proposed constitutional change, should the referendum be successful.

The vote now means the referendum will be held in the next two to six months, with the government already having flagged it would take place between October and December.

The bill passed without any amendments.

Co-chair of the Uluru Dialogue Megan Davis said the bill passing was an historic moment.

"We're closer to a referendum to finally give First Nations Peoples a chance to be heard," Prof Davis said.

"This is the recognition we've been fighting for and what the vast majority of First Nations People support. The significance of this moment cannot be overstated."

Paul Ramsay Foundation Chief First Nations Officer Michelle Steele, who travelled to parliament for the vote, said there was a feeling of excitement and optimism among 'yes' campaigners.

"This is an opportunity for us to really demonstrate that we are committed to this country, this is our country," she told AAP.

"I want to say to broader Australia, please just listen to us and that's the most important thing about the voice.

"Some details might come later but it is a really a great opportunity for us to share this love of country."

While the coalition have spoken out against the Indigenous voice, most senators voted to set up the referendum to allow the public to have their say.

Liberal senator Michaelia Cash told parliament while she voted for the referendum bill, she described the Indigenous voice as "risky, unknown and divisive", while independent senator Lidia Thorpe said it would be "tokenistic" and would not address issues impacting Indigenous people.

"Happy assimilation day, everybody. Many clans and nations around this country do not support assimilating into such a racist, colonial regime and we will continue to push for our sovereignty to be acknowledged," she said.

Labor senator Murray Watt said the significance of the day was as "big as Uluru".

Some coalition members were designated to vote against the bill, in order to allow them to outline arguments for a 'no' vote in pamphlets which will be sent out to all Australian households.

Among those who voted 'no' in the chamber was opposition Indigenous Australians spokeswoman Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie and Senator Thorpe.

© AAP 2023

The final parliamentary vote on holding a referendum to enshrine an Indigenous voice in the constitution has been hailed as a day "as big as Uluru".

The Senate passed laws on Monday to enable the referendum 52 to 19, following a fiery final debate in the upper house.

The vote means the referendum will be held in the next two to six months, with the government already flagging it will take place between October and December.

The bill passed to a standing ovation in the public gallery and rounds of applause.

Labor senator Murray Watt said the significance of the day was as "big as Uluru" - a view endorsed by Assistant Indigenous Australians Minister Malarndirri McCarthy.

"(Indigenous people) want this to happen," she said.

"They're reaching out to all Australians, to be able to feel proud of this time in our country's history where we can lift one another up.

"It is the systemic change that was called upon by those who gathered at Uluru."

While most coalition senators spoke against the Indigenous voice, most of them voted to set up the referendum to allow the public to have their say.

Liberal senator Michaelia Cash voted for the referendum bill, but described the voice as "risky, unknown and divisive".

Opposition Indigenous Australians spokeswoman Jacinta Nampijinpa Price said the voice was dividing Australians.

"The goodwill of many non-Indigenous Australians is being exploited by those who seek to profit in money, clout or power off the real problems being faced by marginalised Australians," she said.

Independent senator Lidia Thorpe said it would be tokenistic and wouldn't address issues impacting Indigenous people.

She instead urged for the government to set up a treaty, calling the voice a powerless body.

"Happy assimilation day, everybody," Senator Thorpe said.

"Many clans and nations around this country do not support assimilating into such a racist, colonial regime and we will continue to push for our sovereignty to be acknowledged."

Upon the bill passing, she yelled out "another day in the colony, another nail in the coffin".

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Australians would now be able to have their say.

"Together, we can make history by enshrining recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our constitution," he said on Twitter.

Uluru Dialogue co-chair Megan Davis said the bill passing was an historic moment.

"We're closer to a referendum to finally give First Nations Peoples a chance to be heard," Professor Davis said.

"This is the recognition we've been fighting for and what the vast majority of First Nations People support.

"The significance of this moment cannot be overstated."

Paul Ramsay Foundation chief First Nations officer Michelle Steele, who travelled to parliament for the vote, said there was a feeling of excitement and optimism among 'yes' campaigners.

"I want to say to broader Australia, please just listen to us and that's the most important thing about the voice," she said.

"Some details might come later but it is really a great opportunity for us to share this love of country."

Some senators were designated to vote against the bill, in order to allow them to outline arguments for a 'no' vote in pamphlets which will be sent to all Australian households.

Among those who voted 'no' in the chamber were Senator Price, Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie and Senator Thorpe.

Liberal MP Julian Leeser, who stood down from the party's front bench due to his support for the voice, said a 'yes' vote would lead to real change.

"The voice is a practical change that will help local and regional communities across Australia," he said.

"It is a safe constitutional change and it will make a meaningful difference to the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander Australians."

© AAP 2023