South Australian native title organisations have raised serious concerns with the state government regarding the proposed structure of its planned First Nations Voice to parliament.
SA Native Title Services wrote to Commissioner for First Nations Voice Dale Agius and Attorney-General and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Kyam Maher, with the signatures and support of 28 chairs and vice chairs from native title bodies across South Australia.
"We do not support and are deeply concerned by certain aspects of the proposed model, in particular the failure to build into the model native title groups and leadership," the letter states.
"The proposed model would establish a regional or local Voice with no defined representation, linkages or accountability back to native title groups – to First Nations. How is this a First Nations Voice?"
The letter expressed concern the proposed Voice could supplant established individual native title groups with a single Indigenous representative body.
"The proposed model will create new institutions, rather than investing in and strengthening the existing First Nations leadership," it states.
The letter argues that the proposal "reflects ATSIC (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission)".
"The First Nations landscape has changed dramatically since (ATSIC) was abolished nearly 20 years ago. Why are we going backwards?"
The Bill is due before SA parliament in February, with the government aiming to establish the first Voice to state parliament in the country before the end of 2023.
The letter sent by SA Native Title Services includes a 10-page submission identifying cultural, representative and administrative problems with the Voice proposal as it currently stands.
"The establishment of Local First Nations Voices will have the potential to create a false narrative about who can speak for Country, create confusion about responsibilities, and create uncertainty, potentially putting each First Nation and the Local First Nation Voice at loggerheads," it states.
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Kyam Maher told National Indigenous Times that the government had consulted widely, including with Native Title bodies, on the development of the state Voice model.
"Throughout our extensive consultation on the SA Voice to Parliament proposal, we have received feedback from Aboriginal communities, organisations and individuals. We have taken into consideration concerns presented from groups like SA Native Title Services," he said.
"The Bill that will be presented to Parliament will ensure the Voice does not impinge on what Native Title Groups do and ensures that there is a formal structure to take into account the views of Native Title groups."
