PM unmoved by BHP and Rio backing 'voice to parliament'

Prime minister Scott Morrison has brushed off a major new push for an indigenous voice to parliament, saying he will focus on "practical" measures to help Aboriginal communities, according to The West Australian.

The prime minister's comments come after mining giants BHP and Rio Tinto threw their weight behind growing demands for a change to the constitution to give voice to Aboriginal Australians.

BHP chief executive Andrew MacKenzie told a business audience in Perth this week that his company could not stand on the sidelines of the issue, and would contribute about $1 million to a project backing a push for an indigenous voice to parliament.

But when asked about the drive for constitutional change, Morrison said he was more worried about producing practical measures to stop young Aboriginal kids committing suicide, or ensuring kids attended school.

Fortescue CEO says nearing decision on project with steel giant

Fortescue Metals Group, China Baowu Steel Group Corp and Taiwan's Formosa Plastics Corp were "working very hard" to reach a quick decision on whether to proceed with their joint Iron Bridge magnetite iron ore project, FMG's CEO Elizabeth Gaines said on Thursday in an interview with Bloomberg.

"It's very active, it's ongoing and there are discussions every other day," Gaines said.

The partners "have no artificial deadline," though would hope to reach a decision before the end of the fiscal year in June, she said.