South Australian Liberal Party opposes national Voice to Parliament

Jarred Cross
Jarred Cross Published July 28, 2023 at 11.00am (AWST)

The South Australian Liberal Party has announced their opposition to the Voice to Parliament.

On Friday the state opposition joined their federal colleagues' position against an enshrined body in Canberra after previously opposing a state-based Voice earlier this year.

The federal LNP announced their stance against the Voice in April.

It came after South Australian Parliament passed legislation for a state Voice in March.

At the time, the state's shadow Attorney General and Aboriginal Affairs spokesman Josh Teague labelled the then-proposal "rushed, impractical and in isolation will do nothing to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people".

Similar sentiment has now been reiterated by SA Opposition leader David Speirs, who raised the same questions - including concerns over the lack of detail provided, over the national framework ahead of this year's referendum.

He said the party does however support constitutional recognition of First Peoples.

In April Mr Speirs stated his Liberal Party would not campaign for or against a national Voice.

"The South Australian Liberal Party has always been focussed on improving outcomes for Aboriginal people and while we are supportive of constitutional recognition, we've been left utterly unconvinced by Labor's divisive approach," he said.

"This is why we have decided to support the federal Liberal Party's position."

Mr Teague similarly call the proposal for a national Voice "divisive".

"I believe constitutional recognition for Indigenous Australians has widespread support, but Labor's proposition to entrench a voice in the constitution does not," he said.

"Australians want unity, not this divisive proposal."

Elections for SA's Voice representatives are set to be held next March.

46 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members will represent six regions across the state with a smaller group to be chosen within those elected to speak directly with the Parliament in Adelaide.

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