On behalf of Relationships Australia Qld, we formally acknowledge the statement from our First Nations Gathering on The Voice to Parliament referendum. We thank them for their time, commitment, passion, and generosity, and recognise their diverse experiences and perspectives. We respect the toll it takes on First Nations Peoples to educate, advocate, and repeatedly share their wisdom. It is our responsibility to embrace these voices and action this advice in real and tangible ways during the referendum and beyond.
In response, we are proud to state that RAQ stands in favour of enshrining a First Nations Voice to Parliament. We express our deepest gratitude for the generosity of our First Nations staff members and communities throughout our collaborative journey to Yes. RAQ is proud to stand in solidarity with First Nations Peoples in seeking peaceful resolution to address the social and structural imbalance of the system that they have inherited through colonisation.
RAQ values respectful relationships. To thrive, relationships need deep listening with honest, respectful conversations. It is time to listen and to put First Nations voices and Truth-telling at the heart of the Australian Government’s policies and programs that impact Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. A Voice to Parliament will allow First Nations communities to inform policy and legal decisions that impact their lives. This influence is crucial for a fairer Australia, and an historic step toward true reconciliation and healing.
We work to extend our allyship beyond the workplace and join with other RAP organisations and sector peers. We uplift the five dimensions of Reconciliation through truth-telling and safe, respectful neighbourhoods where First Nations Peoples are recognised contributors to the rich tapestry of community life, are valued, and have equity and capacity to thrive.
It is the responsibility of every Australian to inform themselves about the true experiences of our First Nations Peoples. It is incumbent on all of us to learn the history of our country and the impact of colonisation on past, current, and future generations. First Nations Peoples face disproportionate rates of mental illness, psychological distress, and death by suicide. We recognise there is significant diversity between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, including differing cultural traditions, different experiences of discrimination and dispossession, and diverse ways of living culture in contemporary Australia.
We reaffirm our commitment to prioritise cultural fitness as an organisation. We commit to doing everything that we can to help our First Nations colleagues to feel culturally safe in our workplaces. RAQ will create spaces for deep listening and discussion across our organisation that builds honesty, Truth-telling, respect, and understanding about white privilege and racism.
- Natasha Rae, CEO
and William Owens, Chairman