First Nations Voice Committees

The Hon. B.R. HOOD (15:07): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Attorney-General and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs regarding Aboriginal affairs.

Leave granted.

The Hon. B.R. HOOD: According to evidence given by Mr Colin Marsh, the Director of the First Nations Voice Secretariat, during Budget and Finance Committee on 11 March 2025, not one of the four legislated committees that were supposed to be set up under sections 31 to 34 of the First Nations Voice Act 2023 have been established. This is despite the wording in the act that states that the First Nations State Voice must establish these committees. Mr Marsh responded that the committees are 'in the pipeline' and that 'The rollout plan is yet to be determined.' My questions to the minister are:

1. Has the minister in his meetings with the First Nations Voice discussed these committees being formed?

2. Can he explain why these committees have not been formed despite the clear mandate?

3. Is it in line with the government's expectations?

4. What does the minister believe to be an appropriate time to take to establish these committees?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector, Special Minister of State) (15:08): I thank the honourable member for his question. I think part of the answer would be reflected in the address to a joint sitting of this parliament that was given by the State Voice, I think it was back in October last year. I have had a number of comments from fellow members of parliament both from this chamber and the other chamber and members of the public about how impressed they were with the address that was given to the joint sitting, where it was noted that the South Australian Voice to Parliament is the first of its kind anywhere in Australia. I can't remember the exact words that the co-presiding member Leroy Bilney from Ceduna used, but it was to the effect that they are having to create things for the very first time with nearly everything they do in terms of processes and procedures.

I am pleased that the Voice has made contributions on a number of pieces of legislation. I am pleased that representatives of the Voice have met with a number of ministers on a number of policy areas and, indeed, have met with the whole of cabinet and a whole group of chief executives and will continue to do so, and the Voice will set up committees and processes as they go about creating what is a historic first in this country.