In a historic moment, the State Government last week introduced a bill to legislate for Australia’s first Voice to Parliament for First Nations People.

The First Nations Voice Bill 2023 will establish the voice, and allow South Australia to take a significant step towards implementing the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

The Government will also allocate $10m over the forward estimates to support the establishment and ongoing operation of the First Nations Voice.

The Bill was introduced to Parliament on Thursday and marked the culmination of months of work, including two extensive rounds of engagement with First Nations communities and the broader community around the State led by the Commissioner for First Nations Voice Dale Agius.

It proposes a connected, direct, and independent line of communication for First Nations people to South Australia’s Parliament and the government, to allow important, shared communication by locally elected regional members.

Modifications made as the result of engagement include:

Alterations allowing for the Voice to address either the House of Assembly or the Legislative Council in relation to any specific Bill which is considered of interest to the state Voice

The establishment of specific committees representing young persons, Elders, Native Title holders and members of the Stolen Generations, to advise the State First Nations Voice

Provisions designed to ensure the Voice does not impact on Native Title agreements or other First Nations organisations

A clearer definition of the terms “First Nations person” and “Traditional Owner”.

It is intended that a group of community leaders will consider the various views expressed during consultations and make recommendations on the boundaries for the local First Nations Voices under the model, with the final boundaries to be prescribed in regulations.