We applaud the South Australia Labor Government and their historic Indigenous Voice to Parliament Bill.
Image: Government signing in the Bill with Kaurna elders, Aboriginal community leaders. Image via Government of South Australia Twitter.
Life Without Barriers commends the South Australian Labor Government on becoming the first state in Australia to enact an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament!
A Special Parliamentary Sitting Day was held on Sunday, 26 March, 2023, for the Bill, cementing South Australia’s place in history as the first jurisdiction in Australia to pass a First Nations Voice Bill. To honour this historic moment, a State Ceremony was held on the steps of Parliament House, with thousands of people attending to honour the moment and show support for South Australia’s First Nations people.
A bill to establish the mechanism for direct Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation was formally presented to the upper house by Attorney-General and Aboriginal Affairs Minister Kyam Maher.
Kaurna elders, Aboriginal community leaders, and many of those in attendance gave the bill a standing ovation at Mr Maher's speech.
"I'm pleased that so many Aboriginal leaders and community members who've contributed on this bill have chosen to come to parliament today," Mr Maher told parliament.
"Where we are now, on Kaurna country, this whole state and the whole of this nation, always was and always will be Aboriginal land."
Image: Catherine Liddle, CEO of SNAICC, Claire Robbs, CEO of Life Without Barriers and Karen Mundine, CEO of Reconciliation Australia, standing together.
Chief Executive of Life Without Barriers, Claire Robbs, said she is encouraged by the Government’s announcement that puts the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples at the center of policymaking.
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are best placed to inform the policies and laws that impact their lives,” Ms Robbs said.
“A South Australian Voice to Parliament is a powerful commitment that will pave an enduring path to improved self-determination, outcomes, opportunity and leadership."
“Life Without Barriers looks forward to working with the SA Voice to Parliament on addressing the overrepresentation of First Nations children in out-of-home care and supporting investment in Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations across the state." Ms Robbs said.
Life Without Barriers has made a statement in support of a constitutionally enshrined Voice to Parliament. You can view that statement here.
At the launch of Life Without Barriers Elevate RAP, on Thursday, 23 March, in partnership with Reconciliation Australia and SNAICC - National Voice for our Children, we had the opportunity to stop and listen to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Minister Linda Burney and members of the Referendum Working Group as the announcement came about the Referendum and the reveal of the constitutional amendment.
We will do our part to support people to be informed as they prepare to place their vote in June. We support the voice. #YES23
Image: A photo of PM Anthony Albanese during his live address and the Life Without Barriers Elevate Rap Launch
You can read Life Without Barriers' full Elevate Reconciliation Action Plan here.
