Politics
Advocacy
KU Children’s Services proud supporters of Yes23 Campaign
Freya Lucas
Oct 05, 2023
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Early childhood provider KU Children’s Services (KU) has spoken out ahead of the 14 October referendum, saying it is proud to support the #Yes23 Campaign, recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as the First Peoples of Australia and supporting a Voice to Parliament.
“We stand with the Yes23 Campaign to support a Voice to Parliament, in keeping with our Statement of Commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and our organisational values of Diversity and Inclusion,” said KU Children’s Services CEO Christine Legg.“We feel strongly that Australia’s First Nations Peoples have the right for their voices to be heard and to have a say on matters that impact them.”
What is the First Nations Voice to Parliament?
The creation of the First Nations Voice to Parliament (The Voice) is a result of the endorsement of the Uluru Statement from the Heart (The Statement) in May 2017, following two years of regional dialogues, calling for Voice, Treaty, Truth, and proposing several recommendations.
This year, on Saturday 14 October, Australians will vote to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.
The Voice will be an elected Advisory Group of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, having a responsibility and right to advise the Australian Parliament and Government on national matters of significance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, and will be protected in the Constitution of Australia.
The model of who and how The Voice is formed and how it will function will not and cannot be actioned until such time that a First Nations Voice is enshrined in the Constitution.
Be informed and prepared
Whilst many Australians acknowledge the status quo is unacceptable and want positive change, there are also many who are unsure if The Voice will make a significant difference – they want to know more, KU acknowledged.
The Voice, KU believes, “is an opportunity to hear from local peoples about local issues, and for First Nations Peoples to be given a chance to make practical changes, to change the status quo and improve life opportunities for future generations.”
“This is a real opportunity to close all the gaps between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and other Australians and should not be seen as a situation of ‘history repeating itself’.”
The 2023 Productivity Commission Report findings on the Closing the Gap outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children indicates that early education targets have not improved and children’s removal from their homes and families is increasing.
This trajectory can be changed if the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and Communities are heard, if solutions are determined locally, and implemented with sustainable, long-term funding.
Established in 1895, KU Children’s Services is one of Australia’s leading providers of high quality early childhood education and care. KU enriches the lives of more than 10,000 children and their families each year through over 120 services and programs.
Learn more about KU Children’s Services’ by visiting KU’s official website.
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