Australia - March 2023
South Australia becomes first state to enact Indigenous Voice to Parliament
The South Australian government passed a historic bill on 26 March, making it the first Australian jurisdiction to legislate an Indigenous Voice to the Parliament at a state level. The bill was initially drafted based on two rounds of consultations held in Aboriginal communities between August and October 2022. “The Voice” will consist of 46 elected members across the state, representing six regions. Each region will have two representatives that directly communicate with parliament and government departments. The move comes ahead of the national referendum on creating a federal Voice for the parliament, expected to be held later this year. Supporters hope the Voice will serve as a positive example for establishing the national Indigenous Voice.
Sources: Australian Broadcasting Corporation, The Guardian, Government of South Australia (1), Government of South Australia (2)
