Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body welcomes South Australian First Nations Voice
The ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body (ATSIEB) has today welcomed the commencement of the South Australian First Nations Voice to Parliament, which gave its inaugural address on the 27th of November.
ATSIEB Chair, Maurice Walker, said the commencement of the South Australian Voice was a positive step forward for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across the country, strengthening representation and showing a true commitment to self-determination.
‘We welcome our brothers and sisters who have been elected to the South Australian First Nations Voice, and congratulate them on the role they will play in representing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people during this pivotal time in our history,’ Mr Walker said.
‘The Elected Body knows firsthand the importance of true representation by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for our community. Right now, we’re in a critical period of action under the National Closing the Gap Agreement, and it is positive to see another state establishing a First Nations Voice to ensure we are heard in driving outcomes for our people.’
Mr Walker also commented on recently released data from the Productivity Commission in its Closing the Gap Annual Data Compilation Report, which showed that the ACT has the highest rate of racism experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over the age of 18 in the country.
‘This data is shameful, and shows that we have a lot of work to do to not only improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, but to combat racist attitudes within the broader community,’ Mr Walker said.
‘I encourage all Canberrans who consider themselves to be allies to be having conversations in your own communities, to combat this racism and to open up the dialogue on reconciliation.’
