First Nations Voice to SA Parliament

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Consultation has concluded. Thanks for your contributions.

What's being decided?

The Commissioner for First Nations Voice SA is seeking feedback on draft legislation to establish a First Nations Voice to South Australian Parliament.

We respectfully use the term 'First Nations' to refer to people who identify as Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, or both. It recognises Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander peoples as two distinct groups. At times we will also use the term 'Aboriginal'.

Background

The First Nations Voice Bill 2022 (the draft Bill) has been developed following a statewide engagement with First Nations people and communities, undertaken by South Australia’s Inaugural Commissioner for First Nations Voice, Dale Agius.

It is part of the State-based implementation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, a call from Aboriginal people across the country for substantial structural change and reform so First Nations people have a greater say in decision-making, and are able to represent their hopes and aspirations centred on self-determination and empowerment.

The South Australian government has committed to a state-based implementation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart and has committed $2.1 million in the 2022-23 State Budget to commence implementation, with a Voice to the South Australian Parliament the first reform to deliver.

From August to October 2022 the Commissioner visited First Nations communities to hear their views about establishing a Voice to South Australia's Parliament. A report of the outcomes of these conversations was released on 9 November 2022.

The draft Bill has been prepared by the Government and is informed by feedback outlined in the Commissioner’s Report. It proposes a State First Nations Voice is formed, to advise and address Parliament and engage with government.

Get involved

Find out more:


Have your say by:

We are particularly interested in your views on the following:

  1. Do you think the proposed model in the draft legislation will enable First Nations people to have a strong Voice to Parliament?
  2. Do you consider the functions of the Local First Nations Voices and State First Nations Voice to be appropriate? Do you have a view on any other functions that should be included?
  3. Are there any areas of the legislation you have concerns about?
  4. Geographic boundaries: The Government has provided two potential options for boundaries (see Potential Local First Nations Voice regions option 1 and option 2).
    Which boundary option do you think would work best? Why do you think this option would work?
  5. Does the proposed Voice legislation enable local regional Voices to effectively support the State Voice to present state-wide views to Parliament?
  6. The legislation will also include a preamble. The preamble is an introductory statement about the law and can set out facts relating to the history of First Nations People in South Australia and to acknowledge their continuing language and culture. It can be described as the moral foundation for an Act and is a guide to the intentions of those who are responsible for it. To guide development of the preamble, are there any important or significant points that you would like to see addressed and / or included?
  7. Is there any other feedback on the draft legislation you wish to provide?


Attend an engagement session:

  • The Commissioner for First Nations Voice will be visiting Aboriginal communities across South Australia to hear their views on establishing the Voice in South Australia. Engagements will occur between 17 November and 16 December. For more information, please visit the Commissioner's web page. Please note these sessions are for First Nations people and are not public meetings.


Please be aware that, unless a request for confidentiality is made, information contained in any submission may be referred to publicly or published. Any material identified as ‘confidential’ is still subject to the Freedom of Information Act 1991 and, while efforts will be made to keep the material confidential, in some circumstances it may be disclosed under that Act. Where disclosure of information may identify you, attempts will be made to consult with you under the Freedom of Information Act 1991 before the documents are disclosed.


What are the next steps?

We will consider your feedback to finalise the draft First Nations Voice Bill 2022 before it is introduced to State Parliament in early 2023 for consideration.

What's being decided?

The Commissioner for First Nations Voice SA is seeking feedback on draft legislation to establish a First Nations Voice to South Australian Parliament.

We respectfully use the term 'First Nations' to refer to people who identify as Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, or both. It recognises Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander peoples as two distinct groups. At times we will also use the term 'Aboriginal'.

Background

The First Nations Voice Bill 2022 (the draft Bill) has been developed following a statewide engagement with First Nations people and communities, undertaken by South Australia’s Inaugural Commissioner for First Nations Voice, Dale Agius.

It is part of the State-based implementation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, a call from Aboriginal people across the country for substantial structural change and reform so First Nations people have a greater say in decision-making, and are able to represent their hopes and aspirations centred on self-determination and empowerment.

The South Australian government has committed to a state-based implementation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart and has committed $2.1 million in the 2022-23 State Budget to commence implementation, with a Voice to the South Australian Parliament the first reform to deliver.

From August to October 2022 the Commissioner visited First Nations communities to hear their views about establishing a Voice to South Australia's Parliament. A report of the outcomes of these conversations was released on 9 November 2022.

The draft Bill has been prepared by the Government and is informed by feedback outlined in the Commissioner’s Report. It proposes a State First Nations Voice is formed, to advise and address Parliament and engage with government.

Get involved

Find out more:


Have your say by:

We are particularly interested in your views on the following:

  1. Do you think the proposed model in the draft legislation will enable First Nations people to have a strong Voice to Parliament?
  2. Do you consider the functions of the Local First Nations Voices and State First Nations Voice to be appropriate? Do you have a view on any other functions that should be included?
  3. Are there any areas of the legislation you have concerns about?
  4. Geographic boundaries: The Government has provided two potential options for boundaries (see Potential Local First Nations Voice regions option 1 and option 2).
    Which boundary option do you think would work best? Why do you think this option would work?
  5. Does the proposed Voice legislation enable local regional Voices to effectively support the State Voice to present state-wide views to Parliament?
  6. The legislation will also include a preamble. The preamble is an introductory statement about the law and can set out facts relating to the history of First Nations People in South Australia and to acknowledge their continuing language and culture. It can be described as the moral foundation for an Act and is a guide to the intentions of those who are responsible for it. To guide development of the preamble, are there any important or significant points that you would like to see addressed and / or included?
  7. Is there any other feedback on the draft legislation you wish to provide?


Attend an engagement session:

  • The Commissioner for First Nations Voice will be visiting Aboriginal communities across South Australia to hear their views on establishing the Voice in South Australia. Engagements will occur between 17 November and 16 December. For more information, please visit the Commissioner's web page. Please note these sessions are for First Nations people and are not public meetings.


Please be aware that, unless a request for confidentiality is made, information contained in any submission may be referred to publicly or published. Any material identified as ‘confidential’ is still subject to the Freedom of Information Act 1991 and, while efforts will be made to keep the material confidential, in some circumstances it may be disclosed under that Act. Where disclosure of information may identify you, attempts will be made to consult with you under the Freedom of Information Act 1991 before the documents are disclosed.


What are the next steps?

We will consider your feedback to finalise the draft First Nations Voice Bill 2022 before it is introduced to State Parliament in early 2023 for consideration.

Consultation has concluded. Thanks for your contributions.

  • Consultation outcome

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    Following consultation on the draft legislation, on Sunday 26 March 2023, the South Australian Parliament passed the First Nations Voice Bill 2023.

    The Act establishes Australia's first Voice to Parliament for First Nations people in South Australia.

    The Voice will be a connected, direct and independent line of communication for First Nations people to South Australia's Parliament and the government, to allow important, shared communication by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in South Australia.

    More information, including a summary of engagement activities and feedback can be found on the AGD website.