Local Voice

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS (14:48): Supplementary: will local MPs and members of this council be afforded the opportunity to meet with the Local Voices where they indicate a preference to do so, and how will that be facilitated?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (14:48): I suspect the most efficient and effective way to do that would be, if local members or members of this chamber wish to do that, to contact the Voice secretariat. It will be up to members of the Local Voice if they are able to or wish to do that, noting that a member of the Local Voice, for all the work they do, receive a remuneration of $3,000 a year.

There is, of course, a sitting fee, which is consistent with other boards and committees. It is about $250 for each of the between four and six meetings each member of the Local Voice is required to have. So it would be contacting the secretariat. As the Voice develops, evolves and matures I think that is likely to become a regular feature. Just how easy it will be now as it is being set up I am not sure, but if any member is interested the secretariat would be the place to start.