5 July 2022
South Australia’s inaugural Commissioner for First Nations Voice has been appointed ahead of the State Government’s pledge to introduce a Voice to Parliament as early as next year.
Dale Agius will start as the state’s first Commissioner for First Nations Voice in August to help lead the Government’s consultation with Aboriginal groups and lay the foundations for state-based implementation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
The purpose of the Indigenous Voice to Parliament is to ensure input from First Nations peoples at the highest level of government so that they have a voice in relation to the laws governing their country and people.
An Indigenous Voice to Parliament was first put forward as part of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, the latter written after a historic meeting of 250 Indigenous delegates at the First Nations National Constitutional Convention in 2017.
Mr Agius will also liaise with the new Federal Government, which has committed to implementing the Uluru Statement at a national level.
His appointment comes during National NAIDOC Week (July 3 to July 10) with activities and events held across Australia to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Mr Agius’ new position follows extensive experience working with Aboriginal community services and initiatives across government and non-government sectors.
His previous roles include Director of Aboriginal Practice and Partnerships within the Department of Human Services, Manager of DHS’ Metropolitan Aboriginal Youth and Family Services, and as Executive Officer in the Office of the Commissioner for Aboriginal Engagement.
The Malinauskas Government has also extended the appointment of Dr Roger Thomas as Commissioner for Aboriginal Engagement for a further six months.
Dr Thomas, a senior Kokatha man and respected Elder, has held senior government positions over the past four years – first as Commissioner for Treaty from February 2017 to July 2018, and then as Commissioner for Aboriginal Engagement.
He was the inaugural Professor of Indigenous Engagement and Adjunct Professor of Education at the University of Adelaide and the Dean of the Centre for Australian Indigenous Research and Studies, Wilto Yerlo.
“I look forward to working with both Commissioners on our bold agenda to deliver on the Uluru Statement from the Heart in South Australia and undertake meaningful engagement with Aboriginal people across the state,” said Aboriginal Affairs Minister Kyam Maher.
ANMF (SA Branch) CEO/Secretary Adj Associate Professor Elizabeth Dabars AM said “We have been advocating for health equity for First Nations peoples for many years and hope that these recent changes will work to help achieve this objective”.
Members can view our commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through our ANMF (SA Branch) Reconciliation Action Plan journey which is now available on our website. Click
here to view progress.
Our Health Policy Position Statement related to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People can also be found
here.