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'Yes' Campaigner Noel Pearson has challenged Australians by saying the Voice to Parliament referendum is “testing the idea” if a continent empty of owners can come to an understanding of the multicultural triumph that is a “beacon” to the world.

Mr Pearson referenced former prime minister Paul Keating by saying the referendum was “not about guilt – it was about opening our hearts”.

“You are not guilty for the past, neither are we – our alleged inferiority is no justification for that history,” he said while addressing the National Press Club on Wednesday.

“We were victims of history but our victimhood ends with our empowerment.

“Have the same expectations of us as you would your own.”