“Can we stay on the same path?”: that is the question South Australia‘s Voice to Parliament state presiding member posed to politicians in his first address.
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Scanning the faces of parliamentarians across the chamber, Mr. Bilney took in the significance of the moment.
“There has never been an elected member to this parliament whose origin story begins in the storylines of First Nations people of South Australia … it’s about us, not with us.”
Now, he said they have an opportunity to change the past, reflecting on the many policies that have caused hurt since federation, acknowledging nearly all in the Voice had connections to a reserve or mission, and some were Stolen Generations members.
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The Marlinyu Ghoorlie, Wirangu, Kokatha, Mirning, Noongar and Barngarla man explained they had no rulebooks to follow beyond the legislation that set up the Voice.
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- What are the expected outcomes from the collaboration between the SA Voice and government/community organizations, as outlined by Leeroy Bilney?
## Staying the Course: An Interview with SA Voice Presiding Member Leeroy Bilney
**Host:** Welcome back to the program. Joining us today is Leeroy Bilney, one of the newly elected Presiding Members of South Australia’s First Nations Voice to Parliament. Leeroy, thank you for being here.
**Leeroy Bilney:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** In your first address as Presiding Member, you asked a powerful question: “Can we stay on the same path?” Can you expand on what you meant by that?
**Leeroy Bilney:** Absolutely. This Voice is a historic moment for our community. It’s a chance for First Nations people to have a real say in decisions that affect our lives. But we need the support of the broader community and our political leaders to make it work.
That’s why I posed that question. “Can we stay on the same path?” It’s a call for commitment, for ongoing collaboration, and for a shared vision for a better future for all South Australians.
**Host:** This Voice has generated a lot of discussion and debate. What message do you have for those who might be skeptical about its value or concerned about the process?
**Leeroy Bilney:** I understand that there are different perspectives, and that’s healthy in a democracy. But I firmly believe that this Voice is essential. It’s about ensuring that First Nations voices are heard and respected. We have deep knowledge and understanding of our communities, our culture, and the challenges we face. By including our perspectives in decision-making, we can create better outcomes for everyone.
**Host:** What are some of the key priorities for the Voice in the coming months and years?
**Leeroy Bilney:** There’s a lot of work to be done. We need to build strong relationships with government and community organizations. We need to develop clear processes for how the Voice will operate and advise on policy. And we need to ensure that the Voice is truly representative of the diverse First Nations communities in South Australia. [[1](https://www.firstnationsvoice.sa.gov.au)]
**Host:** Leeroy Bilney, thank you for your time and insights. We wish you and the Voice all the best in your important work ahead.
**Leeroy Bilney:** Thank you.