SA Liberals won’t support government’s state Voice to Parliament bill

The state opposition will not support the government’s First Nations Voice to Parliament bill, which it has lashed as “rushed” and “defective”.

The state opposition will not support the government’s First Nations Voice to Parliament bill, which it has lashed as “rushed” and “defective”.

Opposition Aboriginal Affairs spokesman Josh Teague said the bill in its current form could not offer any clear, practical outcomes

“The state government’s proposed legislation is rushed, impractical and will do nothing to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people,” he said on Tuesday.

“Labor’s Bill completely ignores existing engagement methods, which could and should be better utilised and instead deliberately steers clear of those longstanding bodies.

Opposition Aboriginal Affairs spokesman Josh Teague. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Brenton Edwards

“The legislation will essentially create a third chamber of parliament, allowing the body to address the House on any issue.”

Mr Teague said the Liberals had introduced their own Aboriginal Representative Body Bill in 2021 and again in 2022, which “reformed the way in which issues of importance to Aboriginal communities could be practically acted upon”.

However, the bill will not need the support of the opposition to pass because the Greens have already flagged they will vote in favour of the Voice.

Premier Peter Malinauskas has positioned the state Voice legislation as a scene setter for the national referendum, but federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton is yet to declare a position on the matter.

However, he has said he believes the referendum is on track to fail.

Attorney-General and Aboriginal Affairs Minister Kyam Maher said the state Liberals’ opposition to the bill was “extremely disappointing”.

Mr Maher said the opposition has been provided briefings throughout the drafting process and at no stage suggested changes or made formal submissions.

“Our bill was subject to rigorous consultation for over six months,” he said.

“This is in stark contrast to the former Liberal government’s bill that was the subject of just nine days of consultation.”

Mr Maher said the Voice to Parliament would be an advisory body, and rejected suggestions it would create a third chamber of parliament.

“It is advisory only and it will be up to the government of the day how they take these representations into account,” he said.