South Australia set to get First Nations’ Voice to Parliament after proposal wins Greens’ support.
l. To be able to elect a group of people from their geographical area: half of them men and half of them women. Overall, 40 people would be elected and then 12 of those would form a statewide Voice that could speak on any bill before parliament. “This will be really significant,” Mr Maher said. Voice members would also be able to attend two cabinet meetings a year, meet with state government department chief executives and ask ministers about spending, policies and what they are doing for Indigenous people. Election promise but no referendum The Labor Party promised a local implementation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart at the state election in March. Support of the Greens gives the government 11 votes out of the 21 in the Legislative Council, excluding the president. How will the First Nations Voice work? The proposed bill to enshrine South Australia’s new First Nations Voice to parliament into law reveals the scope of the body. Greens MP Tammy Franks said the Voice would give parliamentarians the chance to hear First Nations people like they never have before. “The ability to hear what First Nations people think on any issue that affects Aboriginal Australians in South Australians, as we make our decision as parliamentarians for the best for South Australia, so I think it’s only a win-win,” she said. Formal consultation on the legislation — and particularly how the geographical regions would be divided — began in November and ended two weeks ago. The results of the consultation have not been released. A referendum is set to be held on a federal Indigenous Voice to Parliament by the end of the year. Unlike at the Commonwealth level, South Australia’s First Nations’ Voice will not need to go to a public vote. South Australia’s constitution can be changed without a referendum. “We’ll look to reference this in our Constitution Act and that can be done in South Australia without a referendum,” Mr Maher said.
Chris took an avid interest in Kyams’ political career over the years and I’m sure he would be proud. I like to think that he and Viv, Kyams’ politically savvy mum who also is no longer with us, are up there cheering him on.
I have been productive with my knitting. It’s an interest that reflects my stress levels! Not something to do in the hot weather but the weather has been variable enough to make it possible to knit. I have been tempted for a long time to do some circular knitting as it’s quick and opens up a lot of creative opportunities. So I purchased an Addi circular knitting machine which arrived yesterday.
I have been busy lately with a birthday, Ian’s happens 3 days after Christmas, as well as kids activities and overnight stays during the school holidays.
Aunty Sharon has had the kids taking turns staying with her in Sydney. She returned to work this week which although busy will no doubt be a welcome break.
The birthdays continue this week with Sharon and Jai celebrating on the 26-27th. Big one for Jai as he is turning 13, Highschool this year!
The garden is a disappointment this summer. From being a quagmire in Spring it has become so dry it’s cracking and like concrete to dig. I grew lettuce in pots, just finished. That was a battle with caterpillars decimating them almost overnight. My passionfruit vine is producing well, it’s first year. The Cockatoos are also monitoring their ripening so I’ve netted what I can to discourage them. I planted 2 tomatoes in early December and they are doing well. A few weeks off being ready to pick. Yesterday I found a couple of self seeded tomato plants and put them in the garden. On my trip to Bunnings a few days ago I bought a punnet of lanky discounted climbing bean plants for 50c . Because I couldn’t dig the garden, I scratched the soil and emptied the best part of a bag of potting mix on top then planted the 9 bean seedlings. Since then the weather has been overcast and we have had an inch of rain. My beans are looking very happy.
The radish plants are also in pots and not doing very well. They really need to be in soil.
The whole growing season seems to be about 5 weeks later than usual.
Tuesday lunches have resumed.
Travel plans are on hold.
Joans jottings 