On 19 May 2025 State Voice Presiding Members Danni Smith and Leeroy Bilney sat with the Premier, Ministers and government Chief Executives to ask how they are addressing First Nations Health and Wellbeing.
Under the First Nations Voice Act 2023, the Premier is required to convene an Engagement Hearing to allow the Presiding Members to ask questions of Ministers and Chief Executives.
For their first Engagement Hearing, the Presiding Members chose to focus on the Health and Wellbeing of First Nations South Australians, which is one of three focus areas of the Voice.
Danni and Leeroy requested the attendance of the Ministers and Chief Executives who are the key decision-makers in this area, and asked them questions relating to the operations, expenditure, budget, and priorities of their administrative units.
The hearing provided an opportunity to continue an open dialogue with government about health and wellbeing matters affecting Aboriginal and Torres-Strait Islander people. The questions Leeroy and Danni asked were formed following discussions at State and Local Voice meetings, and with community, over the past year.
Further Engagement Hearings are planned, to discuss the remaining two focus areas of Housing and Infrastructure, and Justice, Policing, and Incarceration Rates.
