SA’s first First Nations Commissioner appointed

South Australia’s first Commissioner for First Nations Voice has been appointed, ahead of the state government’s pledge to introduce a Voice to Parliament as early as next year.

South Australia’s first Commissioner for First Nations Voice has been appointed, ahead of the state government’s pledge to introduce a Voice to Parliament as early as next year.

Dale Agius is well-connected Kaurna, Narungga, Ngadjuri and Ngarrindjeri man who has worked at senior levels across government and been heavily involved in community organisations.

“I do have a really strong association with Aboriginal communities and a really strong passion for supporting my communities, (including) how they engage with the government in parliament,” he said.

“Each local region has their own particular set of issues and matters they want to address straight away, how they‘re represented I guess is the key.”

Dale Agius, South Australia’s first Commissioner for First Nations Voice, left, at Parliament House with Aboriginal Affairs Minister Kyam Maher. Picture: Brenton Edwards

On July 25 Mr Agius will begin to guide the government’s consultation with Aboriginal groups and lay the foundations for a state-based implementation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

He will also liaise with the new federal government, which has committed to implementing the Statement at a national level.

His previous roles include Director of Aboriginal Practice and Partnerships within the Department of Human Services, Manager of DHS’ Metropolitan Aboriginal Youth and Family Services, and as executive officer in the Office of the Commissioner for Aboriginal Engagement, Dr Roger Thomas.

The Malinauskas Government has extended the appointment of Dr Thomas, a senior Kokatha man and respected Elder, for six months. He was initially the Commissioner for Treaty from February 2017 to July 2018, before becoming Commissioner for Aboriginal Engagement.

Aboriginal Affairs Minister Kyam Maher said he had been looking at different models from around the world for First Nations representation and voices to governments and parliaments.

“I was talking to Dale earlier and I think from our point of view, this is the most exciting, most optimistic time I can certainly remember in my lifetime in Aboriginal Affairs, for Aboriginal people,” he said.

“I wasn’t around in the lead up to the ’67 referendum but I can only imagine that this is that sort of level of anticipation, optimism and (sense that) we’re going to do something remarkable, for change for Aboriginal people.”