Australia’s peak business body will back the Indigenous Voice, declaring its support for the “empowerment” of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The Business Council of Australia announced its position on Thursday, along with revealing data showing its member companies spent more than $1 billion on Indigenous-owned businesses each year.

“We believe the Voice is the right mechanism to give Indigenous Australians a stronger say on legislation, policy and programs that directly impact their communities and their lives,” Business Council chief executive Jennifer Westacott said.

“We know that we get better results when we listen.”

The council – whose members include BHP, Commonwealth Bank, Qantas and Woodside – joins a string of community, religious and sporting organisations lending their support.

The Voice is a proposed advisory body that would make recommendations to the federal government and Parliament on laws and policies affecting Indigenous people.

A vote proposing constitutional recognition of Indigenous people and enshrining a Voice will be held between October and December this year.

-AAP