First Nations Voice To Parliament

In reply to the Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) ().1 June 2023).

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector): I am advised:

1. The Commissioner for First Nations Voice is extraordinarily focused on our State Voice and has led a most extensive and thorough consultation process—probably the most comprehensive consultation that has ever been undertaken with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander South Australians. There were two tranches to that consultation.

In the first stage, the commissioner and his team travelled the length and breadth of this state, seeking views on the essential elements to be included in the First Nations Voice in South Australia.

From that research came draft legislation, which was the basis of the second stage of the feedback from the First Nations people in this state. Again, the commissioner travelled extensively through the state and sought views on the draft bill. From the feedback provided there, amendments were made, informing the act that ultimately received royal assent in an historic ceremony on 26 March 2023.

This process has been occurring in tandem with the national conversation shifting towards the creation of the Federal Voice.

2. See above.

3. See above.