The Answer is Still Yes – Our Commitment to Australia’s First Nations People.
While the outcome of the Voice referendum may not have delivered the result many hoped for, at ARACY, our answer remains a firm and unwavering Yes. Yes to listening, yes to learning, and yes to continuing our work alongside Australia’s First Nations communities to improve outcomes for all children and young people.
The journey towards a more equitable future doesn’t end here. We will continue advocating for policies that ensure every child, especially Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, has the opportunity to thrive. We remain committed to advancing the wellbeing of First Nations children through collaboration, respectful partnerships, and practical actions grounded in evidence.
This moment reminds us of the work still ahead. We stand with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders and communities as we strive towards meaningful change, ensuring every child feels heard, valued, and supported.
ARACY’S 2023 STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR THE VOICE TO PARLIAMENT
ARACY supports the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament being enshrined in the Australian constitution.
We seek to see our children thrive. Children are central to the Uluru Statement, and through the Voice to Parliament change can be driven to build a better future.
Responsive relationships, built through dialogue and positive interactions, are crucial to developing healthy brains and healthy lives. We acknowledge a history of displacement can have intergenerational effects, contributing to adverse experiences for children and families.
Supporting and modelling respectful dialogue in the community, through the Voice to Parliament, will promote connection and engagement to deliver improved outcomes for children and families. What fosters positive developmental outcomes for children and their families, will foster positive outcomes for us all.
ARACY’s ongoing support for Australia’s First Nations people, despite the Voice referendum outcome, is deeply aligned with our commitment to reconciliation and decolonisation. While the referendum result represents a setback, it also reinforces the need for stronger efforts in promoting treaty and truth. Our recent Equity Partnership Agreement with Riteways and Dr. John Davis marks a tangible step in this direction. Just as the Voice was a crucial first step outlined in the Uluru Statement from the Heart, our dekol approach – embracing Indigenous perspectives from the start – ensures we are not bound to repeat history, but rather, create a more equitable future for all children.
To learn more about how dekol is shaping our work and driving change, read the full blog post: Dekol Means Knowing Our History, So We Are Not Bound to Repeat It.
