Latest news with #IndigenousVoice
SBS Australia
07-07-2025
- Politics
- SBS Australia
The state of Victoria's Voice to Parliament
A permanent Indigenous voice to parliament is on its way for Victoria. It makes Victoria the second state in Australia - after South Australia - to establish a state-based, democratically elected body to provide advice on laws and policies related to Aboriginal people. The agreements comes at the same time as the handing down of the final report of the Yoorrook Justice Commission, after four years of hearings. "We stand here with our feet firmly on the lands of the Kaurna people. I pay my respect to their elders past present and emerging, but the way we pay our respects first and foremost is not with our words but in our deeds. And there are no more powerful deeds than South Australia becoming the first place in our nation to pass a law enshrining an Indigenous voice to our Parliament." says Peter Malinauskas, the premier of South Australia, when the state passed groundbreaking legislation for a state-based Voice to Parliament. Now, Victoria is set to follow South Australia's example.
SBS Australia
02-07-2025
- Politics
- SBS Australia
Victoria embraces truth telling and treaty with state voice to parliament
"We stand here with our feet firmly on the lands of the Kaurna people. I pay my respect to their elders past present and emerging, but the way we pay our respects first and foremost is not with our words but in our deeds. And there are no more powerful deeds than South Australia becoming the first place in our nation to pass a law enshrining an Indigenous voice to our Parliament." That was Peter Malinauskas, the premier of South Australia, when the state passed groundbreaking legislation for a state-based Voice to Parliament. Now, Victoria is set to follow South Australia's example. Jacinta Allan is Victoria's Premier. "As a state, we are up for this. We are up for this very simple common sense change of involving and listening to First People in the decisions that affect them." First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria Co-Chair Rueben Berg says the creation of the body has been on the table since January, part of treaty talks between the group and the state government. "To be able to build on the work of so many of our people across countless generations. To be able to say that we start the negotiations of the Treaty." How will the voice to Parliament work? The First Assembly - made up of 33 elected members - will provide advice on laws and policies that affect Indigenous communities in Victoria, from health and education to crime and development. The Premier says their voice to parliament will aim to enable First Nations people to have a better say. "The treaty process and outcome is grounded in that pretty simple common sense approach, that when you listen to people who are affected by policies and programs, when you involve them in the processes, you get better outcomes." The Premier says the state's Voice to parliament won't be written into its constitution because it does not require constitutional change, unlike the failed Federal proposal. Rueben Berg says negotiations will continue on the treaty, because of the importance of truth-telling and keeping government accountable. "Those conversations in a respectful way, and we'll be able to deliver a Treaty which will deliver powerful outcomes for our communities, powerful outcomes for all Victoria. Making sure that we get better outcomes for our communities. So that our future generations can thrive." The confirmation of a Victorian voice comes as the parliament has tabled its final two reports from the state's Yoorrook Commission, bringing an end to the work of the justice commission after four years of hearings and evidence from more than 200 witnesses. The reports made 100 recommendations across five volumes, and provided an official public record of Victoria's history since colonisation. But the official record features a disclaimer that three of the five commissioners - adjunct professor Sue-Anne Hunter, distinguished professor Maggie Walter and former Federal Court judge Anthony North - did not approve of the inclusion of the key findings in the final report. Still, Commission chair Eleanor Bourke said she had lived through many of the policies described in the pages, and hopes for real and lasting change for Victoria's First Nations communities. The highly respected Wergaia Wamba Wamba Elder, told the National Press Club in May she had been humbled by the Indigenous people who gave evidence - and encouraged by the decision to implement the Commission four years ago. "I knew it would be the hardest and most important work of my professional life, and so it has proved to be... In 2021 Victoria made history by establishing the Yoorrook Justice Commission, the first formal truth telling process in this country. Not a gesture, not a box tick, but a bold commitment to listen to the voices of the oldest living cultures on Earth."
Daily Mail
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Indigenous Voice to Paliament on the way for Australian state as treaty deal nears
A permanent Indigenous voice to parliament is on its way for another Australian state but won't be written into its constitution as a treaty deal nears. Victoria is set to follow South Australia in establishing a state-based, democratically elected body to provide advice on laws and policies related to Aboriginal people. The creation of the ongoing body has been on the table since January as part of treaty talks between the state government and First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria. Premier Jacinta Allan indicated it was likely to be agreed to and, unlike the failed federal voice, would not require constitutional change. 'The key difference to the referendum that was put nationwide a couple of years ago is that was changing the constitution,' she told reporters on Monday. 'This is not changing the Victorian constitution.' Victoria recorded the highest 'yes' vote of any state at 45.85 per cent in the 2023 referendum. The ACT (61.3 per cent) was the only state or territory to back the proposal. SA is the only jurisdiction to legislate a state-based, democratically elected body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The SA Voice is made up of 46 Aboriginal members elected across six regional districts. A statewide Victorian treaty is expected to be struck later in 2025, with enabling legislation to then go before parliament. The Victorian opposition withdrew its support for treaty in January 2024 following the failed referendum, citing concerns about cultural heritage laws. It means the Labor government will need the support of as many as six upper-house crossbench MPs for the treaty agreement. Treaty negotiations have centred on making sure Aboriginal Victorians could make decisions on matters that impacted their mob, assembly co-chair Rueben Berg said. Mr Berg said the talks also covered the assembly playing an ongoing role in truth-telling, keeping government accountable and developing leadership capability for its people. 'Treaty recognises that Aboriginal people are the experts on our own lives,' the Gunditjmara man said. Ms Allan pointed out the assembly, which essentially already performs the same function as a state-based voice, has been operating since 2018. After 'decade after decade' of stagnating and worsening outcomes for Indigenous people, the premier is pleading for a change of approach. 'It's not acceptable ... that the rate of Indigenous kids finishing education is something like 57 per cent, far far below the statewide average,' Ms Allan said. 'That the number of Indigenous people accessing homelessness services has gone up, that the number of Aboriginal women accessing breast screening has gone down.' Opposition Leader Brad Battin said the coalition would not support a state voice to parliament, declaring it 'flies in the face of democracy' following the referendum result. 'I'll continue to stand with those Victorians and say the voice is not needed,' he said.
The Guardian
30-06-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
First Peoples' Assembly set to become permanent voice to Victorian parliament with crossbench support
Victoria will have a permanent Indigenous voice to state parliament, with the progressive crossbench throwing their support behind a plan to allow the First Peoples' Assembly's work to continue following treaty. Guardian Australia understands the Victorian government will introduce a treaty bill to parliament later this year, which will formalise the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria as an advisory body. According to a senior government source not authorised to speak publicly about the bill, it will see the Assembly renamed and granted statutory powers in relation to matters affecting Aboriginal Victorians. While the government will be required to consult the body on such matters, it will not have veto power over parliament, the source said. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email They said it will be introduced when parliament returns from winter break, most likely in September. While The Greens, Animal Justice party and Legalise Cannabis are yet to see the bill, they have told Guardian Australia they support the Assembly having a permanent role. This would give the government the numbers it needs for the bill to pass the upper house. The First Peoples' Assembly – formed in 2018 to represent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in treaty discussions – had been calling on the government to make it's role permanent for some time. The Assembly has held two elections and helped establish the treaty framework, including the treaty authority and a self-determination fund, and a landmark truth-telling process. In a joint update to treaty negotiations last month, the Assembly and the government said work had progressed on the 'ongoing role for the First Peoples' Assembly', which will ensure 'First Peoples can make decisions on matters that impact their futures and play an ongoing role in truth-telling'. The premier, Jacinta Allan, told reporters on Monday that negotiations were still under way, but formalising the Assembly as a permanent advisory body would be a 'simple commonsense change'. She compared listening to the Assembly to how the government has responded to community concerns on other issues, including cost of living, bail reform and housing 'When you listen to people, you get better outcomes, and that's what treaty is all about. I reckon we're up for that as a state,' Allan said. She rejected comparisons to the federal voice to parliament proposed at the 2023 referendum, as it would not be 'changing the Victorian constitution'. The opposition leader, Brad Battin, on Monday ruled out backing the plan, noting his party had withdrawn support for the treaty process after the federal referendum result. 'Trying to introduce legislation to have a voice to parliament here in Victoria, after Victorians have already said no, flies in the face of democracy,' Battin told reporters. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion The Victorian Greens leader, Ellen Sandell, said her party proudly supported the Assembly and that it was 'sad and disappointing to see the Liberals attacking the solutions that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are telling us they need'. Animal Justice party MP Georgie Purcell said she 'unequivocally supports' the advisory body and that it would be a 'disservice to Victoria's proud Aboriginal communities if a permanent First Peoples' Assembly resulted in a Dutton-style scare campaign'. 'Victorians have voted resoundingly for treaty at two elections and the First Peoples' Assembly is just one component of this process,' Purcell said. Legalise Cannabis MP, Rachel Payne, described the treaty process as an 'opportunity' to 'elevate First Nations voices', while her colleague, David Ettershank, said the party was 'strongly supportive' of the Assembly's 'ongoing involvement in Victorian governance'. Enshrining the Assembly in law as a permanent body would bring Victoria in line with South Australia, which became the first state to have an Indigenous voice to parliament in 2023. It comes as the Yoorrook Justice Commission – Victoria's formal truth-telling body – completed its work this month. It submitted two major reports to government: one with 100 recommendations and another an official public record of the history of Victoria since colonisation. It is understood the reports will be tabled in parliament on Tuesday.
The Advertiser
08-06-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
The people behind the Aussie good life
Despite their seeming ubiquity in Australian life, elections don't just happen. Turning up on election day, having your name crossed off the roll and repairing to a booth to exercise your democratic right ahead of nabbing a democracy sausage comes about as the result of an elaborate process overseen by the Australian Election Commission. And despite Australia's compulsory voting, our system is the subject of much envy the world over. And there's none more deserving of one of a King's Birthday honour this year than former Australian Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers, who has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to public administration and leadership and administration of Australia's democratic electoral system. As commissioner for a decade, Mr Rogers led the agency to successfully deliver the 2016, 2019 and 2022 federal elections, numerous by-elections and boundary redistributions in every Australian state and territory. He also led the AEC in 2023 to deliver the Indigenous Voice referendum, the first referendum held in Australia in nearly a quarter of a century. Most Australians are blissfully unaware that much of the system we take for granted comes down to a dedicated team of distinguished public servants, but this fact, in and of itself, is one to emulate. "Running the election, it is Australia's largest peacetime logistic operation," Mr Rogers said last week. "If you think about it, 105,000 workers, 8000 polling places, it's like setting up a Fortune 500 company in five weeks and then disassembling it a couple of weeks after the event." And with talk of stolen elections in the United States and elsewhere, Mr Rogers didn't mind that Australians just expected their electoral system to work. "We used to have this thing called the 'Electoral Commission's dilemma' - which was the easier we make it look, the easier people think it is," he said. "I've had different comments over the years, from people I know pretty well, along the lines of 'You're so lucky, sweet job, it must be nice to work every three years, then it's pina coladas and away you go' and maybe that's okay. "Australians love their electoral system, they trust the AEC greatly, and maybe that's a good thing, that it's seen as unremarkable." And that's the thing about the King's Birthday honours - they're a chance to shine a light on the things that make our ordinary and everyday lives easy, or straightforward, or successful. Mr Rogers is in distinguished company this year, with the likes of broadcaster Phillip Adams, who was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for his services to the media, the arts, cultural leadership and the community, alongside husband-and-wife creative powerhouse Baz Lurhmann and Catherine Martin, for eminent service to the arts. Former prime minister Scott Morrison has been appointed AC, routine postnominals for former holders of the nation's top office, but an honour that will not pass without some criticism. Former model and television host Deborah Hutton, who had two skin cancers removed from her face and advocated for sun safety, was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to community health and to media. There are many extraordinary people living throughout our communities, and the King's Birthday is an opportunity to reflect on how lucky we are to live in such a diverse country. Much like elections, a rich and varied life doesn't happen automatically, or without effort. Despite their seeming ubiquity in Australian life, elections don't just happen. Turning up on election day, having your name crossed off the roll and repairing to a booth to exercise your democratic right ahead of nabbing a democracy sausage comes about as the result of an elaborate process overseen by the Australian Election Commission. And despite Australia's compulsory voting, our system is the subject of much envy the world over. And there's none more deserving of one of a King's Birthday honour this year than former Australian Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers, who has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to public administration and leadership and administration of Australia's democratic electoral system. As commissioner for a decade, Mr Rogers led the agency to successfully deliver the 2016, 2019 and 2022 federal elections, numerous by-elections and boundary redistributions in every Australian state and territory. He also led the AEC in 2023 to deliver the Indigenous Voice referendum, the first referendum held in Australia in nearly a quarter of a century. Most Australians are blissfully unaware that much of the system we take for granted comes down to a dedicated team of distinguished public servants, but this fact, in and of itself, is one to emulate. "Running the election, it is Australia's largest peacetime logistic operation," Mr Rogers said last week. "If you think about it, 105,000 workers, 8000 polling places, it's like setting up a Fortune 500 company in five weeks and then disassembling it a couple of weeks after the event." And with talk of stolen elections in the United States and elsewhere, Mr Rogers didn't mind that Australians just expected their electoral system to work. "We used to have this thing called the 'Electoral Commission's dilemma' - which was the easier we make it look, the easier people think it is," he said. "I've had different comments over the years, from people I know pretty well, along the lines of 'You're so lucky, sweet job, it must be nice to work every three years, then it's pina coladas and away you go' and maybe that's okay. "Australians love their electoral system, they trust the AEC greatly, and maybe that's a good thing, that it's seen as unremarkable." And that's the thing about the King's Birthday honours - they're a chance to shine a light on the things that make our ordinary and everyday lives easy, or straightforward, or successful. Mr Rogers is in distinguished company this year, with the likes of broadcaster Phillip Adams, who was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for his services to the media, the arts, cultural leadership and the community, alongside husband-and-wife creative powerhouse Baz Lurhmann and Catherine Martin, for eminent service to the arts. Former prime minister Scott Morrison has been appointed AC, routine postnominals for former holders of the nation's top office, but an honour that will not pass without some criticism. Former model and television host Deborah Hutton, who had two skin cancers removed from her face and advocated for sun safety, was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to community health and to media. There are many extraordinary people living throughout our communities, and the King's Birthday is an opportunity to reflect on how lucky we are to live in such a diverse country. Much like elections, a rich and varied life doesn't happen automatically, or without effort. Despite their seeming ubiquity in Australian life, elections don't just happen. Turning up on election day, having your name crossed off the roll and repairing to a booth to exercise your democratic right ahead of nabbing a democracy sausage comes about as the result of an elaborate process overseen by the Australian Election Commission. And despite Australia's compulsory voting, our system is the subject of much envy the world over. And there's none more deserving of one of a King's Birthday honour this year than former Australian Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers, who has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to public administration and leadership and administration of Australia's democratic electoral system. As commissioner for a decade, Mr Rogers led the agency to successfully deliver the 2016, 2019 and 2022 federal elections, numerous by-elections and boundary redistributions in every Australian state and territory. He also led the AEC in 2023 to deliver the Indigenous Voice referendum, the first referendum held in Australia in nearly a quarter of a century. Most Australians are blissfully unaware that much of the system we take for granted comes down to a dedicated team of distinguished public servants, but this fact, in and of itself, is one to emulate. "Running the election, it is Australia's largest peacetime logistic operation," Mr Rogers said last week. "If you think about it, 105,000 workers, 8000 polling places, it's like setting up a Fortune 500 company in five weeks and then disassembling it a couple of weeks after the event." And with talk of stolen elections in the United States and elsewhere, Mr Rogers didn't mind that Australians just expected their electoral system to work. "We used to have this thing called the 'Electoral Commission's dilemma' - which was the easier we make it look, the easier people think it is," he said. "I've had different comments over the years, from people I know pretty well, along the lines of 'You're so lucky, sweet job, it must be nice to work every three years, then it's pina coladas and away you go' and maybe that's okay. "Australians love their electoral system, they trust the AEC greatly, and maybe that's a good thing, that it's seen as unremarkable." And that's the thing about the King's Birthday honours - they're a chance to shine a light on the things that make our ordinary and everyday lives easy, or straightforward, or successful. Mr Rogers is in distinguished company this year, with the likes of broadcaster Phillip Adams, who was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for his services to the media, the arts, cultural leadership and the community, alongside husband-and-wife creative powerhouse Baz Lurhmann and Catherine Martin, for eminent service to the arts. Former prime minister Scott Morrison has been appointed AC, routine postnominals for former holders of the nation's top office, but an honour that will not pass without some criticism. Former model and television host Deborah Hutton, who had two skin cancers removed from her face and advocated for sun safety, was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to community health and to media. There are many extraordinary people living throughout our communities, and the King's Birthday is an opportunity to reflect on how lucky we are to live in such a diverse country. Much like elections, a rich and varied life doesn't happen automatically, or without effort. Despite their seeming ubiquity in Australian life, elections don't just happen. Turning up on election day, having your name crossed off the roll and repairing to a booth to exercise your democratic right ahead of nabbing a democracy sausage comes about as the result of an elaborate process overseen by the Australian Election Commission. And despite Australia's compulsory voting, our system is the subject of much envy the world over. And there's none more deserving of one of a King's Birthday honour this year than former Australian Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers, who has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to public administration and leadership and administration of Australia's democratic electoral system. As commissioner for a decade, Mr Rogers led the agency to successfully deliver the 2016, 2019 and 2022 federal elections, numerous by-elections and boundary redistributions in every Australian state and territory. He also led the AEC in 2023 to deliver the Indigenous Voice referendum, the first referendum held in Australia in nearly a quarter of a century. Most Australians are blissfully unaware that much of the system we take for granted comes down to a dedicated team of distinguished public servants, but this fact, in and of itself, is one to emulate. "Running the election, it is Australia's largest peacetime logistic operation," Mr Rogers said last week. "If you think about it, 105,000 workers, 8000 polling places, it's like setting up a Fortune 500 company in five weeks and then disassembling it a couple of weeks after the event." And with talk of stolen elections in the United States and elsewhere, Mr Rogers didn't mind that Australians just expected their electoral system to work. "We used to have this thing called the 'Electoral Commission's dilemma' - which was the easier we make it look, the easier people think it is," he said. "I've had different comments over the years, from people I know pretty well, along the lines of 'You're so lucky, sweet job, it must be nice to work every three years, then it's pina coladas and away you go' and maybe that's okay. "Australians love their electoral system, they trust the AEC greatly, and maybe that's a good thing, that it's seen as unremarkable." And that's the thing about the King's Birthday honours - they're a chance to shine a light on the things that make our ordinary and everyday lives easy, or straightforward, or successful. Mr Rogers is in distinguished company this year, with the likes of broadcaster Phillip Adams, who was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for his services to the media, the arts, cultural leadership and the community, alongside husband-and-wife creative powerhouse Baz Lurhmann and Catherine Martin, for eminent service to the arts. Former prime minister Scott Morrison has been appointed AC, routine postnominals for former holders of the nation's top office, but an honour that will not pass without some criticism. Former model and television host Deborah Hutton, who had two skin cancers removed from her face and advocated for sun safety, was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to community health and to media. There are many extraordinary people living throughout our communities, and the King's Birthday is an opportunity to reflect on how lucky we are to live in such a diverse country. Much like elections, a rich and varied life doesn't happen automatically, or without effort.
