Nominations open for State Voice

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander South Australians are being urged to step forward and make their voices heard by nominating to represent their communities in the state’s inaugural First Nations Voice to State Parliament.

The advisory body will give South Australia’s First Nations people a direct line of communication with State Parliament, Government agencies and State Cabinet, with nominations now open for people wishing to participate as members of the six Local Voices that will make up the historic body.

To be eligible to nominate and to vote you must be an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person on the electoral roll in South Australia.

Nominations for the Voice and enrolment to vote are open until 5pm February 12, with the elections to be held on March 16.

South Australia’s Local First Nations Voices will be made up of six regions across South Australia.

These regions were determined after extensive engagement with the community and advice from community leaders and experts.

Five of the six regions will have seven elected members, while the Central region covering the Greater Adelaide area will have 11 due to the higher population of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in this region.

Each local region will choose two joint presiding members which will then make up the State First Nations Voice.

South Australia’s First Nations Voice was legislated in March last year.

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Kyam Maher is urging all South Australia Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders with a passion for their communities and a desire to see better outcomes to stand up and nominate for these important roles.

“We get the best outcomes by listening to the people impacted by government decisions, and that is exactly what South Australia’s First Nations Voice is all about,” Mr Maher said.

More information is available at savoiceelection.sa.gov.au, with successful nominations to be announced on Monday, February 26.