Leslie Massey
As of 2023, there are 11 First Nations MPs and senators in the Australian parliament. This is a significant improvement from 2002, when only 0.4% of federal parliamentarians were Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. While this increase in representation is encouraging, it does not guarantee that Indigenous communities will have a say in the laws and policies made on their behalf. To address this, there is a proposal for a constitutionally guaranteed Voice in Indigenous affairs, which has the support of around 80% of Indigenous Australians.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Indigenous people in Australian parliament | 11 |
| Number of Indigenous women in Australian parliament | 24 |
| Number of Indigenous women in Australian parliament | 23 |
| Percentage of federal parliamentarians who are Indigenous | 4.4% |
| Percentage of Australian population that is Indigenous | 3.8% |
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What You'll Learn
- There are currently 11 Indigenous parliamentarians in Australia
- Indigenous Australians did not get equal voting rights until the 1960s
- Indigenous representation in parliament is not guaranteed
- Indigenous parliamentarians do not always agree with majority Indigenous opinion
- Indigenous Australians make up 3.8% of the population, and 4.4% of federal parliamentarians are Indigenous
There are currently 11 Indigenous parliamentarians in Australia
Indigenous Australians have faced a long history of exclusion from political processes, and it is only recently that they have gained equal voting rights and representation in parliament. Despite this progress, it is important to recognise that the presence of Indigenous politicians does not guarantee that Indigenous communities will have a direct say in the laws and policies that affect them. It is crucial that Indigenous voices are heard and respected in all areas of society, including politics, to address the injustices of the past and create a more inclusive future.
The issue of representation goes beyond numbers. While having Indigenous politicians in parliament is a step in the right direction, it does not automatically translate to meaningful participation and influence in decision-making. For instance, Senators from certain regions may have less understanding of the specific challenges facing Indigenous communities in other parts of Australia. Additionally, the views of Indigenous politicians may not always align with those of their communities, as seen in the case of Senators Jacinta Price and Lidia Thorpe, who disagreed with majority Indigenous opinion on the Voice.
To truly empower Indigenous Australians and ensure their voices are heard, a constitutionally guaranteed Voice in parliament has been proposed. This advisory body, comprised of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals, would provide direct input on issues impacting their communities. The Voice referendum, as outlined in the Uluru Statement from the Heart, represents a crucial step towards addressing past injustices and fostering unity and respect among all Australians.
In conclusion, while Australia celebrates the achievement of having 11 Indigenous parliamentarians, it is important to recognise that true representation goes beyond numbers. The push for a constitutionally guaranteed Voice in parliament demonstrates a desire for meaningful inclusion and a more equitable future for Indigenous Australians.
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Indigenous Australians did not get equal voting rights until the 1960s
There are currently 11 Indigenous politicians in the Australian parliament. This includes 10 federal parliamentarians, with six in the Senate and four in the House of Representatives. However, Indigenous Australians did not have equal voting rights until the 1960s.
In the 1850s, First Nations men in Victoria, New South Wales, and South Australia had the right to vote, just like other male British subjects over the age of 21. In 1895, South Australia became the first place in the world to give equal voting rights to both men and women, including First Nations women. However, Queensland, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory enacted laws to deny Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people the right to vote.
In 1901, the Commonwealth Franchise Act was passed, which denied Aboriginal people the right to vote at the federal level unless they were enrolled to vote in a state as of 1 January 1901. In 1949, Aboriginal people who were enfranchised under state law or were current or former members of the defence forces gained the right to vote at the federal level.
In 1962, the Menzies government amended the Commonwealth Electoral Act, enabling all Indigenous Australians to enrol to vote in federal elections. However, enrolment was not compulsory. Queensland followed suit in 1965, becoming the last Australian jurisdiction to grant voting rights to Indigenous Australians in 1966.
It is important to note that while there is now strong Indigenous representation in parliament, this does not guarantee that Indigenous communities have a say in the laws and policies made on their behalf.
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Indigenous representation in parliament is not guaranteed
While there are currently 11 Indigenous federal parliamentarians in Australia, Indigenous representation in parliament is not guaranteed. This number has fluctuated over time, with fewer Indigenous parliamentarians in the past. For instance, Indigenous Australians did not have equal voting rights until the 1960s, and it was not until 1984 that enrolling to vote in federal elections became compulsory for them.
The lack of guaranteed representation means that Indigenous communities may not have a say in the laws and policies made on their behalf. This is evident in the disagreement between some Indigenous politicians and their communities on certain issues. For example, Senators Jacinta Price and Lidia Thorpe have opposed the Voice, despite around 80% of Indigenous Australians supporting it. Furthermore, the pleas of Indigenous communities to maintain alcohol bans in the Northern Territory were ignored, which may have been addressed if a constitutionally guaranteed Voice existed.
The Voice would be an advisory body composed of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians who would provide advice to the government on issues impacting their communities. It would ensure that local Indigenous voices are heard and improve policy outcomes for disadvantaged individuals. Additionally, it would provide an opportunity for all Australians to be more respectful towards one another and foster a greater understanding of the struggles faced by Indigenous communities.
While some may argue that the presence of Indigenous politicians in parliament guarantees the representation of Indigenous communities, this is not always the case. Senators Price and Dodson, for instance, represent Western Australia and the Northern Territory, respectively, and may have less understanding of the specific challenges faced by Indigenous communities in other regions, such as Cape York and Tasmania. As a result, Indigenous politicians would benefit from hearing Indigenous advice from diverse local regions when making laws and policies for Indigenous affairs.
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Indigenous parliamentarians do not always agree with majority Indigenous opinion
The Australian federal parliament currently includes 11 Indigenous parliamentarians, which is almost 5% of the total number of federal politicians. This is a record number of Indigenous representatives in parliament. However, this does not guarantee that Indigenous communities have a say in the laws and policies made about them.
The idea of an Indigenous Voice to Parliament came to prominence after being endorsed by Indigenous leaders in the Uluru Statement from the Heart of 2017. A referendum to amend the Australian Constitution to recognise Indigenous Australians by prescribing the Voice was held on 14 October 2023. It was unsuccessful, with a majority of voters nationwide and in all states voting against the proposal. Despite the strong Indigenous representation in parliament, around 80% of Indigenous Australians support a constitutionally guaranteed Voice.
Indigenous parliamentarians do not always agree with the majority Indigenous opinion on the Voice. Country Liberal Party Senator Jacinta Price and now-independent Senator Lidia Thorpe have both disagreed with the majority Indigenous opinion on the Voice. Lidia Thorpe left the Greens over the Voice. This demonstrates that Indigenous politicians and Indigenous communities do not always agree.
Furthermore, having Indigenous politicians in parliament is not a guarantee that Indigenous communities are heard in crucial policy decisions made about them. For example, alcohol bans in the Northern Territory were lifted last year, against the wishes of many Indigenous communities. Professor Marcia Langton explained that the pleas of Indigenous communities for a better plan might have been heeded if those communities had a constitutionally guaranteed Voice in their affairs.
In conclusion, while there is strong Indigenous representation in the Australian federal parliament, Indigenous parliamentarians do not always agree with the majority Indigenous opinion. A constitutionally guaranteed Voice would provide advice to help prevent a repeat of the unjust laws and policies of the past and improve practical outcomes in Indigenous affairs.
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Indigenous Australians make up 3.8% of the population, and 4.4% of federal parliamentarians are Indigenous
Indigenous Australians have long faced exclusion from political processes, only gaining equal voting rights in the 1960s and compulsory voting rights in federal elections in 1984. Despite making up 3.8% of the population, Indigenous Australians currently hold 4.4% of federal parliamentarian seats, with 11 Indigenous politicians in parliament as of June 2025. This marks a significant increase in representation since 2002, when Indigenous Australians held just 0.4% of federal parliamentarian seats.
Of the 53 Indigenous Australians elected or appointed to any Australian parliament, 24 have been women. Notably, no one of acknowledged Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander ancestry has been a member of the Norfolk Island assembly. As of 2025, there are 11 Indigenous federal parliamentarians, with 10 currently serving. Of these, 11 have been senators, and four have been members of the House of Representatives.
While this level of representation is encouraging, it does not guarantee that Indigenous communities will have a say in the laws and policies made on their behalf. The Voice, an advisory body made up of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, aims to address this by providing advice to the government on issues affecting their communities. Around 80% of Indigenous Australians support a constitutionally guaranteed Voice, recognizing the need for their oldest living culture to be represented in a meaningful and respectful way.
The 11 Indigenous MPs and senators represent all constituents in their electorate and do not solely focus on Indigenous issues. Nevertheless, their presence in parliament contributes to the overall diversity of the parliament, which is essential for maintaining and growing public trust in Australia's political institutions.
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Frequently asked questions
There are 11 Indigenous politicians in the Australian parliament.
Out of the 53 Indigenous Australians elected to any Australian parliament, 24 have been women.
4.4% of federal parliamentarians are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The Voice to Parliament is an advisory body made up of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians who will advise the government on issues that affect their communities.
