Allies for Uluru Statement of Commitment

The AIM Network

7 months ago

Allies for Uluru Media Release

On 14 October 2023, more than six million Australians said ‘Yes’ to walking together with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for a better future.

In the wake of the referendum, the Allies for Uluru continue to stand in solidarity with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. As a coalition of civil society organisations, corporations and community groups, we are committed to demonstrating our full and unwavering support for the core principles of the Uluru Statement from the Heart. That is…

We recommit to actively pursuing the establishment of representative voices for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples;
We recommit to supporting sovereign to sovereign agreement-making and treaty negotiations between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and Australian governments; and
We recommit to actively pursuing a national truth-telling process, as a vehicle for healing.

We will not be fair-weather allies, we will not turn back, and we will not hesitate in continuing to fight for justice and self-determination for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. In line with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), self-determination is the right of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to be in control of decision-making that affects their lives. We recognise that this self-determination must be catalysed by the transfer of funding and decision making to Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations. As Allies, we will also seek to embody Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representative voices in our own structures and programs.

As Allies, we must incubate our hope for a better future, yet more than this, we must join our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in building the future that we desire. We will do this by continuing to advocate for the rights and aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. Where we see pockets of hope or progress – nationally, regionally and locally – we will add our voices to those of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders, organisations and communities.

We call on all Australian governments and opposition parties to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to lay the foundation for a more fair and truthful relationship between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and non-Indigenous Australians. We believe that this will deliver a better future for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, one based on justice and self-determination. In turn, we believe that this will deliver a better future for all Australians.

The Allies for Uluru reaffirm that the way forward for our nation lies in accepting the generous invitation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart and actively working together with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to build our shared vision for a mature, just and equal Australia.

Signed,

The Fred Hollows Foundation

ANTAR

Oxfam Australia

Australian Council of Social Services

Settlement Services International

Perinatal Wellbeing Centre

Services for Australian Rural and Remote Allied Health

University of Divinity

Sydney Peace Foundation

Health Voyage Ltd

HIPA International Pty Ltd