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On Sunday 26 March 2023, a special sitting of the South Australian Parliament was held, where parliamentarians gathered to vote on the establishment of South Australia’s Voice to Parliament for First Nations People. The South Australian public was invited to gather and watch the vote on big screens outside Parliament House on North Terrace. Legislation, led by Premier Peter Malinauskas and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Kyam Maher,  was passed to enshrine an Indigenous voice to the South Australian Parliament.

The event was opened with a smoking ceremony by elder Moogy Sumner, presented by Shelly Ware, and featured performances by musicians Nathan May and Tilly Tjala Thomas. 

The State Library actively collects and seeks images, which document significant contemporary events and current Aboriginal experiences. For this momentous event Taryn Ellis, photographer and Digital Preservation Technical Analyst at the State Library, was engaged to take photographs of this special event.

Voice to Parliament, special sitting of South Australian Parliament, 26 March 2023. Photo taken by Taryn Ellis.

View from the crowd outside Parliament House in South Australia for the special sitting to establish the Voice to Parliament for First Nations People, 26 March 2023. Photograph taken by Taryn Ellis. 

Voice to Parliament, special sitting of South Australian Parliament, 26 March 2023. Photo taken by Taryn Ellis.

View from the crowd featuring the large screen, outside Parliament House in South Australia for the special sitting to establish the Voice to Parliament for First Nations People, 26 March 2023. Photograph taken by Taryn Ellis. 

Voice to Parliament, special sitting of South Australian Parliament, 26 March 2023. Photo taken by Taryn Ellis.

Chalk writing on the road, outside Parliament House in South Australia for the special sitting to establish the Voice to Parliament for First Nations People, 26 March 2023. Photograph taken by Taryn Ellis. 

South Australian Voice to Parliament for First Nations People, 26 March 2023. Photograph taken by Taryn Ellis.

View of the crowd outside Parliament House in South Australia for the special sitting to establish the Voice to Parliament for First Nations People, 26 March 2023. Photograph taken by Taryn Ellis. 

View from the crowd outside Parliament House in South Australia for the special sitting to establish the Voice to Parliament for First Nations People, 26 March 2023. Photograph taken by Taryn Ellis.

A choir performing outside Parliament House in South Australia for the special sitting to establish the Voice to Parliament for First Nations People, 26 March 2023. Photograph taken by Taryn Ellis. 

South Australian Voice to Parliament for First Nations People, 26 March 2023. Photograph taken by Taryn Ellis.

Major "Moogy" Sumner talking outside Parliament House in South Australia for the special sitting to establish the Voice to Parliament for First Nations People, 26 March 2023. Photograph taken by Taryn Ellis. 

South Australian Voice to Parliament for First Nations People, 26 March 2023. Photograph taken by Taryn Ellis.

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas speaking outside Parliament House in South Australia for the special sitting to establish the Voice to Parliament for First Nations People, 26 March 2023. Photograph taken by Taryn Ellis. 

South Australian Voice to Parliament for First Nations People, 26 March 2023. Photograph taken by Taryn Ellis.

Outside Parliament House in South Australia for the special sitting to establish the Voice to Parliament for First Nations People, 26 March 2023. Photograph taken by Taryn Ellis. 

Voice to Parliament, special sitting of South Australian Parliament, 26 March 2023. Photo taken by Taryn Ellis.
Voice to Parliament, special sitting of South Australian Parliament, 26 March 2023. Photo taken by Taryn Ellis.
Voice to Parliament, special sitting of South Australian Parliament, 26 March 2023. Photo taken by Taryn Ellis.
South Australian Voice to Parliament for First Nations People, 26 March 2023. Photograph taken by Taryn Ellis.
View from the crowd outside Parliament House in South Australia for the special sitting to establish the Voice to Parliament for First Nations People, 26 March 2023. Photograph taken by Taryn Ellis.
South Australian Voice to Parliament for First Nations People, 26 March 2023. Photograph taken by Taryn Ellis.
South Australian Voice to Parliament for First Nations People, 26 March 2023. Photograph taken by Taryn Ellis.
South Australian Voice to Parliament for First Nations People, 26 March 2023. Photograph taken by Taryn Ellis.