FIAP statement in support of the Voice to Parliament
The Uluru Statement from the Heart calls on all of us to build a better future by establishing a First Nations Voice to Parliament enshrined in the Constitution.
The Financial Inclusion Action Plan (FIAP) program, which promotes financial resilience and wellbeing for all, wholeheartedly supports the Voice to Parliament and the full implementation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
A Voice to Parliament is a historic step forward. It enshrines an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice in the Australian Constitution and creates a mechanism for their participation in the decisions, laws and policies that affect their communities. It is also an opportunity to formally acknowledge the Traditional Custodians and pay our respects to the world’s oldest, continuous culture, and their connection to their lands and waterways.
The Voice to Parliament is an important step in implementing the Uluru Statement from the Heart in full. Voice, Treaty and Truth are fundamental elements if we are to right the wrongs of the past, turn good intentions into action, and build fair and truthful relationships with First Nations peoples.
The Uluru Statement from the Heart aligns with the FIAP program’s focus of enabling organisations from multiple sectors to combine forces and work collaboratively to enhance financial inclusion, resilience and wellbeing for all First Nations and Australian people. Now that the proposed wording for Constitutional change has been put to Parliament for debate, we look forward to working with our member organisations to share information, build understanding and achieve this milestone together.
Together with Good Shepherd we have been invited to walk alongside First Nations peoples, and we humbly accept this invitation as a practical action to contribute to collective efforts, to deliver a future that is hopeful, fair and just.
