Federal and state leaders have outlined their collective focus for 2023 including reforming health, energy and securing a successful Voice to parliament referendum.

First up, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says state, territory and federal government counterparts have committed to constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices.

“We reaffirmed the support of all governments from all states and territories for constitutional recognition for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, including through a constitutionally enshrined Voice to the parliament,” he said.

Mr Albanese said the Voice needs to be above party politics and heavily consulted by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

“This is about two things: recognition and consultation,” he said.

“It is the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in our constitution, in our nation's birth certificate."”

National Cabinet has also agreed that health reform needs to be a priority in 2023 to help overwhelmed emergency departments, general practitioners struggling with Medicare coverage and shortages of doctors and nurses.

Mr Albanese said efficiency in the health system needs to be improved, while leaders also need to work out how to better integrate the hospital network with primary health care.

“We know that the key, going forward, is to better integrate the systems, so that patients are what it is all about,” he said.

The governments have also agreed to look at reforming Medicare and making health access cheaper.

Additionally, leaders have recommitted to fixing energy grids in the wake of crises in 2022. 

“We know that part of the key to fixing the energy system is fixing the energy grid, bringing it into the 21st century,” Mr Albanese said.

State and territory leaders should finalise an energy relief plan at meetings this week.

“This isn't going to be a one-size-fits-all, because different states and territories have different systems and starting points,” Mr Albanese said.

The governments are also working towards implementing a national firearms register.