State First Nations Voice

The State First Nations Voice will be made up of the 2 presiding members from each Local First Nations Voice.

What will the State First Nations Voice do?

The State First Nations Voice will:

  • hear the views of each Local First Nations Voice
  • form state-wide views and positions that represent the diversity of First Nations people in South Australia
  • present views and priorities to the South Australian Parliament, Ministers, and government Chief Executives.

How will the State Voice speak to South Australia's Parliament?

The State Voice will be able to speak directly to South Australia's Parliament in a number of ways.

The State Voice will provide an annual address to South Australia’s Parliament about activity from the past year and any matters of interest to First Nations people.

This will be delivered by one of the joint presiding members in a joint sitting of both houses of Parliament.

The State First Nations Voice must provide (to the joint sitting) a written report of its operations over the previous year. It must also present a written report that provides a summary of the operations of each Local Voice (the reports may be combined).

The State Voice can make an address to the Parliament on any Bill (draft law) of interest to First Nations people.

The State First Nations Voice can make one address for each Bill in either house of Parliament it chooses and can speak on other occasions with the permission of the Parliament.

The Parliament must give the State Voice notice of all Bills that are introduced into either house of Parliament.

The State Voice can provide reports to the Parliament on matters of interest, which the Government will be required to respond to, outlining what, if any action, they are taking in response (in a set period).

The Parliament can also request a report or a verbal address from the State Voice about a Bill that is being considered. The State First Nations Voice can accept or deny this request.

The Voice will not have any powers to veto legislation or stop Parliament undertaking its duties and functions.

How will the State Voice speak with the State Government?

The State First Nations Voice can engage with the South Australian Government, including Cabinet, Cabinet Ministers, and Chief Executives of government departments.

The State First Nations Voice will meet with Cabinet at least twice per year.

The State Voice can meet with government department Chief Executives at least twice a year at a ‘Chief Executives briefing’.

The departments represented will be chosen by the State First Nations Voice. The Voice can be briefed by and ask questions of Chief Executives.

The State First Nations Voice can choose to meet with one or a group of Chief Executives at each meeting.

The State Voice can attend an annual engagement hearing with Ministers and Chief Executives from portfolios of interest (i.e. Health, Children and Families, Justice).

This will give the Voice an opportunity to ask questions on operational issues, expenditure, and priorities.

Advisory committees

The State First Nations Voice will also establish advisory committees to hear the views of specific groups of people. These committees reflect the feedback provided during our community engagement.

  • Native Title Bodies Advisory Committee – 1 representative from each native title body listed in the First Nations Voice Regulations.
  • Stolen Generations Advisory Committee – 6 people determined by the State First Nations Voice.
  • First Nations Youth Advisory Committee – 12 people (two people of different gender nominated by each Local First Nations Voice)
  • First Nations Elders Advisory Committee – 12 people (two people of different gender nominated by each Local First Nations Voice)

Advisory committee members will not be members of Local or State First Nations Voices.

The State First Nations Voice can also set up other advisory committees. It can make recommendations to the Minister about remuneration, allowances, and expenses for these committee members.

Local First Nations Voice election

The inaugural 2024 election was held on 16 March. For more information about the First Nations Voice, including elected representatives, visit the website.

You can also read the South Australian First Nations Voice Nominees Handbook (PDF, 8.8 MB).