‘Over it’: SA Voice leader takes aim at critics in annual address
The co-leader of SA’s First Nations Voice has slammed those trying to repeal the advisory body and making Aboriginal people “a political football” in his speech to parliament.
South Australian First Nations Voice joint Presiding Member Leeroy Bilney took aim at politicians attempting to abolish the Voice in his Annual Address to Parliament – while also saying it was at “loggerheads” with the state government over fracking.
In his address, Bilney said that the Voice was “clearly and unequivocally opposed” to the Opposition’s bill to rescind it, adding that campaigning for the Voice at the same time as the state election “may be the closest we’ll ever get to common ground with some of the members here today”.
It comes after the Liberals’ First Nations Voice Repeal Bill was voted down in the Upper House in June, with One Nation voting in support and Labor and the Greens against.
“For us, it was campaigning on two fronts – some of you who are here today ran on a platform of abolishing the Voice, cutting off this direct link we’ve worked so hard to build and strengthen,” Bilney said.
“We weren’t just campaigning to get elected – we were campaigning for our existence.
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“We’re still encountering the cynicism from some segments of the community, including from those in Aboriginal communities who question whether we can be truly independent and whether we can truly be about change.”
Bilney also expressed concern about how the election was conducted, saying it further undermined confidence among First Nations communities in the democratic process.
“People were questioned about their Aboriginality, denied the opportunity to vote and subjected to racist behaviour, segregation, judgement and cultural exclusion while exercising their democratic right,” he said.
Bilney also criticised the state government for agreeing to initiatives that were yet to be translated into “meaningful action”, including the proposed Aboriginal co-design approach for replacing damaged, state-owned and managed Indigenous housing.
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He also stated the Voice’s firm opposition to fracking, saying that “we have been and will always be opposed to fracking in the South East”.
“The issue is not just about Aboriginal communities and listening to Aboriginal communities – it’s about listening to all South Australians who are directly affected by this activity, and we will stand with those affected to speak against this activity,” he said.
Bilney said racism was another issue still impacting First Nations communities.
“Our people are over it, being a political football,” he said.
“We’ve had enough of our identity, rights and place in this state being used for political division.
“We want a South Australia that embraces and celebrates cultural diversity, respects Aboriginal people, values their contribution and allows our children to participate without discrimination.”
It comes as Aboriginal Affairs Minister Kyam Maher today announced that, as a result of advocacy by the Voice, more than $1.5 million would fund two new Aboriginal Reintegration Officers to be based at Port Augusta Prison.
The positions, which have never existed before, would aim to assist Aboriginal people on remand to overcome barriers such as access to appropriate housing.
It would also support Aboriginal people in transition back to the community upon release from prison and help them to access culturally appropriate support and rehabilitation services.
Maher said that Aboriginal South Australians are over-represented in the state’s prison system and that “it’s clear more needs to be done”.
“Intervention at this critical stage can help Aboriginal people turn their lives around and break the cycle of reoffending, which in turn contributes to greater community safety,” he said.
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