Frequently asked questions
Will the Voice be ongoing?
Some people have called for Treaty before Voice – why is the Government implementing Voice first?
Will this model be used as structure for future state treaty voice and representation?
How is the SA First Nations Voice process different to the Federal Voice process?
How will the State Voice be told about legislation being introduced to Parliament?
How will the State First Nations Voice speak to Parliament?
Will the Voice be ongoing?
The South Australian First Nations Voice to Parliament is now enshrined in South Australian law. To remove the Voice, the First Nations Voice Bill will need to be repealed, which will need to be passed by both houses of governments.
Some people have called for Treaty before Voice – why is the Government implementing Voice first?
The Uluru Statement from the Heart calls for a number of reforms – with Voice to be implemented first, followed by Treaty and truth-telling. A Voice directly to Parliament will be a platform for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, through representatives, to speak about and raise issues. This will create a strong basis to deal with any issues in Treaty-making processes. The South Australian Government has committed to state-based implementation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, and in the order recommended in the statement.
Will this model be used as structure for future state treaty voice and representation?
Decisions about the Treaty process will be made as the State Government progresses to the Treaty-making. This will occur once the Voice is implemented and will mean that Voice representatives will be able to share their views, as representatives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, on the floor of Parliament on the treaty-making process. They will also be able to engage directly with the Minister responsible for leading treaty-making, including via annual engagement hearings.
How is the South Australian First Nations Voice process different to the Federal Voice process?
The Uluru Statement from the Heart calls for a Voice to Parliament, Treaty-making, and truth-telling. At the federal level, the First Nations Voice to Parliament is intended to be enshrined in the Australian Constitution. This will need a national referendum, as it is the only way to change the Australian Constitution. You may hear a lot in the media about this Federal process.
Here in South Australia, the First Nations Voice is being implemented through legislation, passed by the South Australian Parliament. A referendum was not needed. The South Australian First Nations Voice will speak to the South Australian Parliament. Any connections with the Federal Voice to Parliament will be considered at a later point.
How will the State Voice be told about legislation being introduced to Parliament?
The State Voice will be told about all new Bills (draft laws) that are introduced, by someone in the role of the ‘Clerk’ of each house in Parliament. The Voice will then determine if they wish to speak to Parliament about certain Bills.
How will the State First Nations Voice speak to Parliament?
The joint presiding members of the State First Nations Voice will be entitled to speak to South Australia’s Parliament about any piece of legislation introduced to Parliament. This is provided seven days written notice is given to the Speaker of the House (unless if the Bill is being urgently progressed, or it is not reasonably practicable to do so).
The State Voice representatives will need to choose whether they wish to speak to the House of Assembly (lower house) or Legislative Council (upper house). The Voice can only make one address for each Bill. However, the State Voice can also speak on other occasions, with the permission of either the House of Assembly or the Legislative Council.
The State Voice can also table a written report on any matter that the State Voice considers is important to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This report must be provided to each Minister with responsibilities for the issues raised in the report, and the Government must present a report in Parliament to the State Voice in response. This report must include whether any action has, or will be taken, on the issue. The Voice will also table an annual report to Parliament.
