What is South Australia’s First Nations Voice to Parliament?
In 2023, the South Australian First Nations Voice to Parliament was established.
The SA First Nations Voice will be made up of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, who are elected by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of South Australia to represent their communities and provide advice on laws, policies, and programs through direct communication with key decision-makers.
This will enable more informed and inclusive decision-making about the issues that matter most to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their communities.
The SA First Nations Voice to Parliament Election is the process for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in South Australia to elect these representatives.
What is the South Australian First Nations Voice to Parliament Election?
The South Australian First Nations Voice to Parliament Election is the process for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders of South Australia to elect their representatives to the South Australian First Nations Voice to Parliament. Only Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders enrolled in South Australia can vote and nominate as a candidate in the election. The inaugural election was held on Saturday, 16 March 2024.
What are the South Australian First Nations Voice to Parliament Supplementary Elections?
Due to the resignation of members, supplementary elections are needed to fill vacant positions in Regions 1 and 4. For Region 1, a supplementary election for a single vacancy will be held for candidates of any gender. For Region 4, a supplementary election will be held for a single vacancy for male candidates only.
Inaugural 2024 SA First Nations Voice to Parliament Results
View the results for the Local First Nations Voice positions in the 2024 SA First Nations Voice Election:
- Region 1 – Central
- Region 2 – Far North
- Region 3 – Flinders and Upper North
- Region 4 – Riverland and South East
- Region 5 – West and West Coast
- Region 6 – Yorke and Mid-North
The South Australian First Nations Voice to Parliament Election will be held on Saturday, 16 March 2024. The counting of votes commenced from Monday 25 March 2024.
What is the difference from the Federal Referendum?
The Federal Referendum and the South Australian First Nations Voice to Parliament are 2 separate but related initiatives. Both are based on the recommendations of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, which was the outcome of a national Indigenous constitutional convention held in 2017. The 2 initiatives share a common goal of promoting greater Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation and self-determination in decision-making and the development of laws, policies, and programs. The key difference is the federal referendum sought to establish a voice to the Federal Parliament through making a change to the Australian Constitution. The South Australian Government has legislated a Voice to speak to the State Parliament. The result of the Federal Referendum does not affect the establishment of the SA Voice to Parliament or the SA Voice to Parliament Election.
