Letter from the Editor

The State Government must respect First Nations leadership and seek to strengthen that leadership in South Australia.

First Nations are the rights holders in South Australia with significant authority around country, community, and culture. The proposed Voice model would establish a State and regional (local Voice) with no defined representation, linkages, or accountability back to First Nations.

The establishment of well-resourced regional and statewide bodies that are empowered to provide a Voice to Parliament with no connection to First Nations organisations has the potential to undermine the authority and recognition First Nations have fought for over many years. The proposed model would be creating new institutions, rather than investing in and strengthening the existing First Nations leadership.