Some South Australians will vote in two elections this weekend
Dale Agius thinks more people will vote in this year's Voice election as it is held on the same day as the state election. (ABC News: Che Corley)
In short:
In what has been described as a potential first for South Australia, some residents are preparing to vote in two separate elections on Saturday.
As well as voting in the state election, about 30,000 First Nations South Australians are also eligible to vote in the second SA Voice to Parliament election.
What's next?
The former SA Voice commissioner says it could take a couple of years to measure the outcomes of the representative body, but its future is unclear with opposition parties vowing to scrap it if they win government.
An estimated 30,000 South Australians will be eligible to vote in two separate elections on Saturday in what the state's Electoral Commission says could be a historic first.
As well as voting in the state election, registered First Nations voters can also cast voluntary ballots in the second SA Voice to Parliament election.
"I can't recall a similar instance in South Australia where another election has been held parallel and at the same time as the state election," SA Electoral Commissioner Mick Sherry said.
"It's very, very rare."
This year's Voice election is the second ballot of its kind since the state's parliament passed legislation to establish the representative body.
Sixty-four candidates are vying to fill 46 seats across six regional districts.
Once elected, a male and female member from each district will be chosen to sit on the state Voice — a body tasked with advising the state government and parliament on matters that affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
South Australia is the only state or territory to have a representative body called a "Voice" — one of the three requests of the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
Mr Sherry said First Nations voters can vote at 700 polling places open on Saturday, or cast early votes.
"Any First Nations elector can vote at any one of the locations that we'll set up for the state election, so it provides convenient and accessible voting options for the First Nations Voice election," he said.
SA is the only state to have a representative body called a "Voice". (ABC News: Che Chorley)
Combined elections encouraging 'massive support' from voters
Former First Nations Voice commissioner Dale Agius, who was appointed by the state government in 2022 to help set up the body, said Aboriginal communities felt "very excited" in the lead-up to election day.
"We've got new members of the community who are putting their hands up, and all the Aboriginal design messages on how to vote and who to vote for on Facebook have taken off," he said.
"And we've got older members who have good standing in the community, put their hands up again as well.
"Leading into an election where you've got the ability to vote for your Voice elected members in your region as well as the state election, I think, will encourage massive support from our Aboriginal community."
The Liberal Party and One Nation both made promises to scrap the representative body if they form government. (ABC News: Che Chorley)
Despite that enthusiasm, setting up the Voice has not been without challenges.
Fewer than 10 per cent of eligible voters cast ballots in the first Voice election in 2024 — a turnout rate which sparked criticism from political parties, including One Nation and the Liberals.
Since then, the inaugural Voice has faced member resignations, internal concerns about an "unsustainable" structure, and criticisms about the level of government funding.
Mr Agius said he believed more people would vote in this year's Voice election, given the convenience of it being held at the same time as the state election.
Fewer than 10 per cent of eligible voters cast ballots in the first Voice election in 2024. (ABC News: Carl Saville)
He said it could take between two and three years to notice the "measurement shifts that the Voice has had really good key roles in to provide advice to government".
"What the Voice members are telling us is they've had opportunities to speak to members of government … in terms of program design and delivery and how they're connecting with Aboriginal communities on the ground," he said.
"They've told us they've had opportunities to influence policies and procedures."
SA election to determine future of the Voice
But the future of the Voice beyond the state election is in doubt, with both Liberals and One Nation campaigning on promises to scrap the representative body.
The Liberals have promised to redirect $750,000 in state government funding allocated to the Voice to other programs, including the community constable service and the Shooting Stars program, which supports young First Nations women and girls.
Ashton Hurn says her focus is on getting practical outcomes for Indigenous Australians. (ABC News: Che Chorley)
Asked if she had seen any benefit from the advice the Voice had provided to the parliament, Opposition Leader Ashton Hurn responded: "No".
"We're focused on pursuing other matters," she said yesterday.
"Clearly, there is a gap when it comes to outcomes for Indigenous South Australians and Australians for that matter.
"We're focused on getting practical outcomes for them."
Ms Hurn said more than 60 per cent of South Australians voted against a constitutionally-enshrined federal Voice to Parliament at the 2023 referendum.
"(Premier) Peter Malinauskas implemented it anyway," she said.
Peter Malinauskas says the Voice has provided useful advice to the government. (ABC News: Sarah Maunder)
Mr Malinauskas said the Voice had given "thoughtful" and "considerate" advice to the parliament and government.
"That's been useful," he said.
"It hasn't cost anyone anything, in fact, some of the solutions they've (the Voice) put on the table have the capacity to save taxpayers money.
"We just see nothing but generosity."
The Electoral Commission will count the Voice election results on March 30.