RAQ wishes to acknowledge the pain and disappointment felt by many First Nations Peoples and allies surrounding the referendum outcome.
We recognise the mental, emotional, and spiritual toll The Voice debate has taken on many First Nations Peoples.
It is owing to the continued heavy lifting and emotional labour of First Nations Peoples, Elders, and Leaders that the conversation around enshrining a First Nations Voice in the Constitution reached a national level.
We express our deepest gratitude to our First Nations workforce who generously shared their diverse voices, experiences, and perspectives in the leadup to the referendum, leading our organisation to YES.
RAQ will continue to say YES.
We say YES to our ongoing commitment to cultural fitness and our organisation’s Reconciliation Action Plan.
We say YES to elevating First Nations voices and being led by our First Nations workforce on First Nations issues.
We say YES to advocating for the respect, dignity, and self-determination of First Nations Peoples and communities.
We say YES to providing culturally appropriate and safe support services to First Nations Peoples and families.
We say YES to standing 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.
The leadup to The Voice referendum was a challenging and traumatic time for many First Nations Peoples and allies. These impacts are likely to continue after the vote.
We encourage anyone impacted to seek support from the services listed below:
Lifeline – 13 11 14
24/7 crisis support
13YARN – 13 92 76
24/7 crisis support from an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter
Brother to Brother – 1800 435 799
24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men of all ages
Yarning SafeNStrong – 1800 959 563
24/7 crisis support from an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter