Aboriginal location name options added for SA driver’s licences

There’ll be a new option for drivers from Kaurna Country or one of more than 50 other indigenous tribal areas the next time their renewal is due.

The official addresses of all South Australians can now be altered to indicate the Indigenous country they live on, rather than just their street and suburb.

The change has been brought about by a simple option on driver’s licences, allowing people to locate their street address on the federal government’s official tribal map of Australia which is used for native title determinations.

When each driver’s licence is renewed, all SA motorists will be offered the option to use the new system, acknowledging the traditional ownership of the land.

The practice is gaining popularity on social media, where people put tag lines such as “Kaurna Land” on their Twitter profiles as a geographical location.

Transport Minister Corey Wingard said the new option was part of the state government’s commitment to healing country and celebrating the rich history and heritage of our great state.

Minister for infrastructure and transport and recreation, sport and racing Corey Wingard. Picture: Emma Brasier

“The theme for this year’s NAIDOC Week was ‘Heal Country’, which called on all Australians to recognise, protect and maintain all aspects of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage,” he said.

“The First Nations people teach us that country is more than a place – it is something that is part of our identity and connected to us spiritually, physically, emotionally, socially and culturally.”

SA has more than 50 tribal areas. The map that will be used for people to locate themselves can be found at: aiatsis.gov.au/explore/map-indigenous-australia

Mr Wingard said he encouraged all South Australians to investigate the issue on the internet, and learn about the different areas of the state.

“For more information on how the system will work when you renew your licence, visit www.service.sa.gov.au,’’ he said.

An example of what the new option would look like.

A map of Australia showing locations of Aboriginal tribal lands.

He said people can also visit the Native Title Tribunal website for information about native title claims and determinations.

“The introduction of the option to include First Nations place names on South Australian driver’s licences is a fantastic initiative that not only embraces First Nations cultural knowledge and understanding of country, but also respects the culture and values of Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders as they do the cultures and values of all Australians,” he said.

“For example, residents in metropolitan Adelaide will now be able to add to their driver’s licence acknowledgment that they are living in Kaurna country.”

The option is also available for Learner permits and Proof of Age cards.

If you choose to include the First Nations place name on your licence, any correspondence you receive from the Department for Infrastructure and Transport will include the First Nations place name.