This interim report draws together proposed models for a National Indigenous Voice, and a proposed framework to enhance local and regional decision making and regional governance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.

Key Findings/Recommendations:

• It is critical that National Voice and Local and Regional Voices are linked. A two-way formal advice link is proposed as a way to achieve this. Each Local and Regional Voice would provide advice to the National Voice on systemic issues related to national policies and programs and community input on matters of national importance. This would provide a credible link between communities and the advice given by a National Voice. This would also connect local knowledge to help improve national policy design and proposed laws.
• The lesson of the last decade is that Closing the Gap can only be achieved through Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander agency and empowerment. An Indigenous Voice that speaks for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples at both the national level where national policy and laws are determined, and the local and regional level where practical change can be achieved, will be a major step towards meeting this national priority.
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, their communities and organisations across urban, regional and remote Australia will be encouraged to participate through submissions, survey, stakeholder meetings, facilitated discussions and online or social media. Communications will also be targeted at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth.
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peak bodies and other organisations offer significant expertise and experience that will be a key source of expert perspectives to be drawn on by National Voice. The National Voice would engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and could form partnerships. This engagement should be regular, reflecting the need for the National Voice to inform itself.

This report is working towards a robust system in which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities are able to work in true partnership with governments, to have First Nations peoples' advice heard by the Parliament and Australian Government and to be part of shared decision making with governments at the local and regional level.

The Senior Advisory Group was co-chaired by Professor Marcia Langton AO and Professor Tom Calma AO.