NRL joins growing number of sporting codes backing Indigenous voice to parliament

Major Australian sporting organisations expected to play a significant role in the yes campaign, with AFL and Cricket Australia yet to announce a stance

• Australia budget 2023 live updates: federal treasurer Jim Chalmers to deliver budget speech tonight - latest news
• Get our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcast

The National Rugby League is the latest major sporting code to back the Indigenous voice to parliament, joining a growing list of elite athletic organisations campaigning for a yes vote in this year's referendum.

As the major football codes hold their Indigenous rounds in coming weeks, a long-mooted campaign of support from sporting groups is expected to intensify toward a referendum likely to be held in October - shortly after the AFL and NRL grand finals.

Sign up for Guardian Australia's free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup