We are grateful for the leadership of the Elders and Aboriginal people who led Australia's Yes to the Voice campaign, recognising that there are various ways of processing the hurt and disappointment, including silent time to reflect and grieve. This has given us space as an organisation, and as individuals, to pause and consider what this outcome really means. And so, observing the grace, patience, and strength of our First Nations colleagues, friends, and mentors we have taken this moment to reflect.
The referendum failing to pass is a devastating blow. We again reflect on the simple fact that Australia remains the only colonised country without any form of treaty with our First Nations people. Further, we mourn the loss of the opportunity that a different outcome could have proffered.
As an organisation that operates in spaces where we endeavour, always, to elevate and amplify the voice of lived experience, we have seen how much better the final outcome is when people have a direct and preferenced say in the issues that directly affect their lives. When Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples state 'nothing about us, without us', and look to systemic reform, policy design, service delivery, evaluation, or agreeing upon funding, we have seen how far government and even well-meaning organisations have missed the mark. There has been a failure to engage, consult, codesign with, amplify, and hold fidelity to the expressed needs of First Nations peoples.
As the 97% of non-Aboriginal people in this country, we are responsible for genuine, accountable allyship geared towards a significant systems shift.
It is not enough to ‘not be racist’. It is clear that current organisational strategies for reconciliation have been insufficient. We must strengthen our resolve to be anti-racist, and to build the trusting open relationships needed to make change. We certainly don't have all the answers, but we do pledge to continue learning, and deeply listening.
This work is hard and often challenging (decolonisation should be humbling, and we're learning to sit in that feeling) - but it is also full of joy, friendship, creativity, and the rewards of seeing far better outcomes for the people we work in service of, and alongside.
Whatever comes next, we are beside you. If not by that means, then another. Relentlessly and sincerely until there is change.