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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2023-10-17 Daily Xml
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First Nations Voice to Parliament

The Hon. L.A. HENDERSON (15:29): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs.

Leave granted.

The Hon. L.A. HENDERSON: Before the referendum the Prime Minister, when speaking with the ABC, ruled out legislating a Voice if the referendum failed when he said, and I quote:

If Australians vote no, I don't believe it would be appropriate to then go and say, 'Oh, well, you've had your say, but we're going to legislate anyway.

On 28 September, minister, you were asked if you would listen to South Australians if they vote no, and repeal your State First Nations Voice, or if you would reject the results of the referendum on 14 October. You said that regardless of what happens with the vote on 14 October you will be keeping your election commitment to implement the Uluru Statement. My questions to the minister are:

1. Given that 64.7 per cent of South Australians voted no in the referendum, why won't you listen to South Australians?

2. Why are you pushing ahead and disregarding their vote at the referendum?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (15:30): I thank the honourable member for her question. In response to question one, it is our policy and it is overwhelmingly supported by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, communities and leaders in South Australia. I can't remember the second question.

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