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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2023-03-07 Daily Xml
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First Nations Voice to Parliament

The Hon. T.T. NGO (15:12): My question is to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs. Will the minister tell the council about the launch of the 'yes' campaign for a Voice to the federal parliament held in Adelaide on 23 February?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (15:13): Yes. I thank the honourable member for his important question. It intersects with the work that is happening in South Australia and that this parliament is contemplating in relation to the Voice. It was a privilege to attend the official launch of the 'yes' campaign for the referendum on an Indigenous Voice to our federal parliament. It was after the Thursday of our last sitting week, and the national launch was held in Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute right here in Adelaide.

It was part of a national week of action, where workshops were held in the two days leading up to the official launch in Adelaide on Thursday. I understand that workshops were held in other locations across Australia and provided an opportunity for attendees to talk about the actions that might be taken in relation to progressing the referendum that will be held later this year.

On the day of the launch, hundreds of supporters and advocates braved the very hot weather and were welcomed into Tandanya with a moving smoking ceremony from Uncle Moogy Sumner prior to the formalities. It certainly was very positive to see so many different people from so many walks of life come together for the common cause in relation to a Voice to Parliament and the upcoming federal referendum.

It was a good opportunity for myself and other members of this chamber to speak with community members, supporters and advocates, having an optimistic outlook in the months ahead in relation to a federal referendum. Importantly, this was a community event. A number of speakers commented on the fact that the national debate on Aboriginal affairs in general, and for almost a decade on constitutional recognition, has spent too long being discussed in Canberra and not in other places around Australia, so to have the federal launch in Adelaide was an important event.

There were many speakers who had very inspiring messages, including Philip Saunders, Acting Chief Executive of Tandanya; the Commissioner for First Nations Voice South Australia, Dale Agius; Rachel Perkins, who, on top of being a renowned Australian film and television director, is the co-chair of Australians for Indigenous Constitutional Recognition; and Dean Parkin, Director of the From the Heart campaign.

It was certainly a night, for those in attendance, that gave cause for optimism about the referendum due to be held later this year for a federal Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament.

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