First Nations Voice

The First Nations Voice is an elected representative body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in South Australia, established by the First Nations Voice Act 2023. The State First Nations Voice is made up of the Presiding Members of the six Local First Nations Voices. For further information, visit the South Australian First Nations Voice to Parliament website.

Through the Voice, First Nations people can have their say at the highest levels of decision-making, including the Parliament, Government and public sector. The South Australian Parliament engages with the State First Nations Voice in the following ways:

Annual address
Each year, the State First Nations Voice will provide a report to Parliament on its operations, and the operations of each Local First Nations Voice. One Presiding Member of the State First Nations Voice will give an address, or speech, to a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament.

The first joint sitting to receive an address from the joint Presiding Member of the State First Nations Voice, Mr Leeroy Bilney, was held on 27 November 2024.

The video of the address is available from the Parliament’s YouTube channel.

The minutes and Hansard transcript of the address can be downloaded here.

Address on Bills
The Parliament must advise the State First Nations Voice when a Bill is introduced in either House. If the State First Nations Voice decides it wishes to speak to Parliament about a Bill, one of its Presiding Members is entitled to address either House.

Report on matters
The State First Nations Voice may present a report to both Houses at any time on matters of interest to First Nations people. The Parliament may also request the State First Nations Voice to provide a report on a particular matter or request a member of the State First Nations Voice to address either House in relation to a Bill.

For further information on the First Nations Voice and Parliament, download this information sheet.