‘Nonsensical’: Indigenous leaders say no point in regional voices without national body

Indigenous leaders have told a parliamentary committee regional and local voice bodies make no sense without national representation. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

Remote Indigenous community leaders have told a federal inquiry it would be “nonsensical” for the voice to parliament to be made up of regional and local bodies without a national body advising Canberra.

Leaders from remote communities in Cape York, the Torres Strait and Far North Queensland passionately advocated for a voice during Wednesday’s public hearing in Cairns.