17 June, 2026
The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (20:23): I was not intending to speak, but the Hon. Ms Game has inspired me to make a brief contribution. I do find it a little bit rich that somebody who has been a member of three political parties in just two years has the gall to lecture others about the legitimacy of elections and election processes.
I am disappointed that this bill is being put back on the agenda. As my colleague the Hon. Melanie Selwood has pointed out, we have had an election. This was a clear policy commitment that was given by the Labor Party to maintain the Voice and the Greens have also been steadfast in our support for this and we are the parties that have the numbers in this chamber to support the Voice.
My suggestion to the Liberal Party is that, rather than trying to copy Pauline Hanson's homework and engage in this nasty race to the bottom—and we have seen a glimpse of what One Nation has to offer in the press gallery today—rather than wrestling in the mud with One Nation, why do they not actually come to this parliament with some positive ideas. It is really telling that the first bill they introduced after this election, when they had such a disappointing result, an election that was clearly focused on cost of living—
The Hon. J.M.A. Lensink interjecting:
The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: Well, only marginally so I would not be bragging about that. Next election we will be equal on the current trajectory so I would not be bragging about that. Let's be clear: it is very telling that the first bill that they introduced into this place after that election was a bill to repeal the Voice. We have seen over the last month or so the fact that they are just interested in playing petty culture wars. They are not interested in the real issues that concern the people of South Australia. It is all just trying to copy One Nation and I think, 'Drop it. Come up with your own ideas.' Surely the people of South Australia deserve better than this sort of stale politics.