Voice to Parliament Position Statement

Brave Foundation supports the Uluru Statement from the Heart and The Voice to Parliament. Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the constitution is long overdue.

As a part of Australia’s reconciliation journey, enshrining a Voice to Parliament will deliver fair, practical change for First Nations people and communities.

Ensuring that the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are guiding our nation in issues of public policy will have long lasting positive impacts for our country as a whole and more specifically on the outcomes for First Nations families, children and young people.

Almost one third of our program participants are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander*. Repeatedly we see them overcoming barriers caused by repeated injustice generated and compounded over centuries. 

A Voice to Parliament is a major step towards correcting the entrenched inequities that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people face, by ensuring culture and country are considered and respected in decisions affecting Australia’s First Nations people.

Providing meaningful opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to contribute to social, health and economic issues will ensure families will thrive for generations to come. The health and prosperity of this country rests on assured wellbeing of families, children and young people, which must include First Nations families, children and young people. We hope to see all Australians walking alongside First Nations peoples on this journey.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants, partners and Brave’s Working Reconciliation Group have had an opportunity to contribute their thoughts and feelings regarding the Voice to Parliament and this will continue to inform Brave’s position. 

Brave recognises that not all individuals, communities and First Nations leaders are in agreement regarding The Voice to Parliament and we hope for continued discussions guided by First Nations people.

Brave acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of this nation as the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which our organisation works. We pay respects to Elders past and present. Sovereignty was never ceded. 

*In December 2022, Brave had 247 young parents in the Supporting Expecting and Parenting Teens program. Of which, 29% identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander