SA Liberals will not campaign for or against federal Voice to Parliament

SA Opposition leader David Speirs says it is up to individual Australians to make their own decision on a national Indigenous Voice to Parliament at a referendum.

Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton says Federal Liberal MPs will campaign for a "no" vote in the referendum to enshrine an Indigenous Voice to parliament. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

South Australian opposition leader David Speirs says his party will not campaign for or against enshrining a national Indigenous Voice to Parliament in the lead up to the referendum later this year.

On Tuesday, Mr Spiers said his party supported better outcomes for First Nations people and that it was up to individual Australians to make their own decision.

“The South Australian Liberal Party wholeheartedly supports better practical outcomes for Aboriginal people and will not have a party position to campaign either for or against the National Voice because the choice is up to individual Australians when the referendum is held later this year,” he said.

It comes after the state government asked whether he would be joining his federal counterpart Peter Dutton who earlier this month declared his party would actively campaign against the Voice.

Although the SA Liberals opposed the state-based First Nations Voice when it passed through parliament late last month, Mr Speirs has previously told reporters that his party is supportive of the concept of a Voice to Parliament.

Attorney-General Kyam Maher, left, Governor Frances Adamson, Premier Peter Malinauskas and deputy Premier Susan Close sign the bill on the steps of Parliament House to pass the nation’s first Voice to Parliament. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Brenton Edwards

In a statement on Tuesday, Attorney-General Kyam Maher said he was “genuinely surprised” when the SA Liberals opposed the state-based First Nations’ Voice Bill.

“I think David Speirs’ views on the state Voice are out of step with most South Australians (and) I would encourage him to support the federal Voice to Parliament,” he said.

“Mr Speirs and other senior SA Liberals had previously suggested they support a Voice in concept,” he said.

“Well, here’s their chance to demonstrate that. Does David Speirs believe in recognising the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice?

“Or does he join with Peter Dutton in saying no?”

Currently every state Premier has declared strong support for a national Voice being enshrined in the Australian constitution, including Tasmanian Liberal Premier Jeremy Rockliff.

Also joining Mr Rockcliff in defying the federal Liberals is Western Australia’s Liberal leader, Libby Mettam, who earlier this month declared she will vote yes in this year’s upcoming referendum.

Elsewhere, Queensland Liberal leader, David Crisafulli said he was “open-minded” about the Voice and would take his time to make an informed decision.

Victorian Liberal leader, John Pesutto also refused to back Mr Dutton and said he was genuinely considering all aspects of the debate before declaring position.

Meanwhile, the New South Wales Liberal Party is yet to elect a new leader after their election defeat, however former Premier Dominic Perrottet expressed support.

Mr Speirs has been contacted for comment.