Albanese praises South Australia’s Voice with historic Bill set to pass
The PM said the historic nation-first achievement would “flow across every state and territory”. Today’s event kicks off in Adelaide’s CBD from 10.15am – see the details.
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says South Australia’s Voice will be a “source of pride” that will flow to every state and territory, inspiring people when they vote at the referendum later this year.
In a historic move, SA has established a First Nations Voice to Parliament after legislation was passed on Sunday.
Mr Albanese applauded SA for becoming the first state to support and deliver on the first of three key reforms to come out of the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
“This is a momentous and historic moment – not only for South Australians, but for all Australians,” he told the Sunday Mail ahead of the historic event.
“It is a source of pride and unity that I believe will flow across every state and territory when all Australians vote in the referendum later this year.
“The 2023 referendum will be a unifying moment for Australia – it’s about taking our country forward, for everyone.”
The other two reforms from the Uluru Statement include establishing a Makarrata Commission for truth-telling, and a Treaty between First Nations people and the Australian government.
Under the proposed model which will be finalised following the legislation passing on Sunday, the SA Voice will consist of 46-members that cover six regions across the state.
Out of six regions, two representatives would be chosen by already elected members from each region and would go on to form a 12 person State First Nations Voice.
The SA Voice would also be gender balanced with an even number of men and women representing their respective regions, including those who form the State Voice.
Premier Peter Malinauskas said he was proud of SA’s record as a “leader in Aboriginal affairs” and encouraged other states and territories to consider legislating their own Voice.
“I encourage all South Australians to come along to the front steps of parliament house this morning and share in this moment of history,” he said ahead of the event.
“The First Nations Voice is all about achieving better outcomes and driving meaningful change for Aboriginal South Australians.
“I encourage all states and territories to follow South Australia’s lead and establish their own First Nations Voice.”
Attorney-General and Aboriginal Affairs Minister, Kyam Maher said passing the Voice would start the process of healing the wounds left by generations of harsh policies forced upon Aboriginal people in SA.
“Today is a day of healing, recognition and a step forward in South Australia’s relationship with First Nations people,” he said.
“For too long, decisions have been made for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and not by them.
“The Voice to Parliament is a significant step in changing that.”
Mr Maher said the Voice would ensure Indigenous people in South Australia had a say in the decisions that “directly affect their lives in a way we have never seen before.”
Shadow Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Josh Teague said the model which was being legislated would not achieve the outcomes needed.
“In the course of the debate this week, we made it very clear that this is not a model that we regard as effective or most effective, particularly in terms of engagement with the parliament,” he said.
Mr Teague said he would make sure that he worked with the government’s Voice legislation to ensure that it is as “effective as possible”.
SA is expected to have a fully elected Voice body up and running by the end of the year, with elections to be held, including the finalisation of regional boundaries and establishing the framework that will enable a grassroots elected First Nations Voice to proceed with its important work.
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