Opposition Leader David Speirs says SA Liberal Party will not back federal Voice to Parliament

The SA Opposition Leader has revealed his party’s stance on the federal Voice to Parliament – as the historical referendum looms.

The state opposition will oppose the national Voice to parliament, citing concerns about the federal Labor government’s approach to the landmark move.

On Thursday night, Opposition Leader David Speirs told SA Liberal Party members in the federal seat of Boothby the party would join its federal counterpart and oppose the vote.

“The South Australian Liberal Party has always been focused on improving outcomes for Aboriginal people, and while we are supportive of constitutional recognition, we’ve been left utterly unconvinced by Labor’s approach,” Mr Speirs said, speaking alongside Liberal Senator Kerrynne Liddle and federal Deputy Opposition Leader Sussan Ley.

“Earlier this year we opposed the state-based Voice to parliament because we thought the process was rushed and the model was flawed.

Opposition Leader David Speirs says the federal Voice to Parliament proposal leaves more questions than answers. Picture: NCA NewsWire

“Now SA Labor has delayed the elections (for the state Voice) by six months in a clear admission of error and another sign that Peter Malinauskas remains preoccupied with chasing headlines rather than delivering positive outcomes for South Australia’s Indigenous communities.”

In April, Mr Speirs announced he would not campaign for or against a national Voice to parliament, saying it was up to Australians to make their own decision.

That came after the state Voice passed through the SA parliament in March.

Mr Speirs on Thursday said the federal government’s “lack of detail” on its proposed Voice “leaves more questions than answers”.

“This is why we have decided to support the federal Liberal Party’s position,” Mr Speirs said.

State opposition Aboriginal Affairs spokesman Josh Teague said improving outcomes for Aboriginal people had to be the focus.

Josh Teague said the state and federal Labor governments should “stop orchestrating their political agenda and start listening”. Picture: NCA NewsWire/David Mariuz

“State and federal Labor should stop orchestrating their political agenda and start listening,” Mr Teague said.

“Australians want unity, not this divisive proposal.

“I believe constitutional recognition for Indigenous Australians has widespread support, but Labor’s proposition to entrench a Voice in the constitution does not.”

In April, federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said: “Australians would not vote for something they did not understand.

“I don’t think there’s any wonder that people want a better outcome for Indigenous Australians, but why won’t the Prime Minister explain it to me and why is the Prime Minister yelling at me that I’m not smart enough to understand it, or that I’m racist because I don’t support the Voice?” he said.

A government spokesman hit back at Mr Speirs, calling his decision to oppose the national Voice to Parliament “deeply disappointing”.

“Unlike his predecessor Steven Marshall, who supported a Voice, David Speirs is prepared to jettison principle and policy in favour of politics to maintain his tenuous grip on his position,” the spokesman said.