Mackenzie made the announcement today to coincide with the start of National Reconciliation Week and described his support as aligned with BHP’s approach to working with indigenous people.

He further described the campaign as another step-change towards the formal and constitutional recognition of the rights and interests of indigenous people since the 1967 referendum, which for the first time recognised them as Australian citizens.

“On this day in 1967, Australia’s most successful referendum was held,” he said.

“Over 90% of the nation voted ‘yes’ to give the federal parliament the power to make laws in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and to allow for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to be included in the census.

“Today I am proud to announce BHP Billiton’s support for the Recognise campaign to build public understanding of the constitutional recognition issue.”

The Recognise campaign was launched to complete the constitutional task of securing equality for all Australians and recognise the more than 40,000 years indigenous people had lived in Australia before British settlement as the first chapter of the country’s history in the nation’s founding document.

This is expected to be achieved through the removal of discriminatory sections and the insertion of clauses that protect the government’s ability to pass laws for the benefit of indigenous people, ban racial discrimination by government and recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages as Australia’s first tongues.

Recognise joint campaign director Tanya Hosch welcomed BHP’s announcement and said she hoped it inspired others from every sector of society to signal their support.

“We’re extremely pleased that BHP is putting its weight behind the intention of the campaign,” Hosch said.

“For them to add their voice to this, we hope it will encourage others to step forward proudly and join with them.”

A parliamentary joint select committee on the constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples was tasked with finalising the words that would form the amendment to the constitution.

The committee is due to deliver its final report to parliament by June 30.