Australian Progress Statement on referendum AND First Nations justice
Right now, we are months out from a referendum and across the nation big conversations are happening about the colonial history of our country and our collective vision for the future - one that centres First Nations justice, truth-telling and self-determination.
At Australian Progress, our mission is to build the capacity of social change organisations and movements to advocate and win. We value, respect and work with a diverse range of people across a breadth of issues, approaches to creating change and differing roles in a movement.
We rarely take on policy positions. On the referendum however, we have thought critically about our role and the responsibilities we have as an organisation in this moment.
How we show up right now influences and impacts our long-term commitment to First Nations justice and self-determination, including the ways in which we support our growing team of First Nations staff, partners and relationships with community.
That’s why we have written this statement and why it’s important for us to communicate the thinking behind our approach to the upcoming referendum.
Since colonisation, First Nations communities have fought tirelessly to bring about change and justice for our people. Many of our elders have paved the way, and now younger generations are stepping up and carrying on their legacy.
Over the last decade we have seen huge growth in protest movements that have challenged the status quo, contributed to a global reckoning with racism and have built widespread demand for the aspirations of our communities.
It’s clear that momentum for change is growing, and big wins are within our reach. But with the referendum around the corner, it’s critical to acknowledge that whilst there are many opportunities ahead of us, there are also important questions and concerns being raised that cannot be ignored.
Just like any community or social movement, First Nations people have a diversity of opinions, perspectives and approaches to creating change and this needs to be respected.
We’re hearing from many First Nations advocates that there needs to be more culturally safe spaces for communities to come together to learn, share, ask questions and have critical conversations amongst one another.
We’re also seeing a massive culture war that is giving rise to racism, hurling attacks on our people and spreading harmful narratives and misinformation that hurts and undermines our communities. We cannot allow them to take us backwards.
There is a lot of work that needs to be done, and at Australian Progress, we refuse to sit on the sidelines.
Our recent round of research, from Passing The Message Stick, shows that more than half the population (56%) believe that this moment is bigger than the referendum, and is an opportunity to bring about more meaningful change. We found that there are similar levels of support for treaties, representation, land rights and policies for equity and justice. Many people are asking if the referendum is enough.
That’s why we believe this is an important moment to build power of our movements to win the narrative on transformational change for First Nations justice that goes beyond what’s on the table. But this will only happen if we fight for it. What happens next is up to us.
In a matter of months, everyone will be asked to vote. And whilst there is a set question, our research shows that Australians will vote in line with their beliefs and attitudes towards First Nations people.
It is critical that we flood the airwaves with stories of First Nations strength, leadership and vision for the future. Together, we can supercharge pathways to truth-telling, treaties and self-determination by providing a political mandate to hold governments accountable and leave them with no choice but to follow our lead.
At Australian Progress, we occupy a unique role in Australian civil society. We are the only organisation that has been established to provide backbone support to hundreds of campaigns and movements by convening cross-sector projects and collaborations, running regular trainings and national conferences, as well as increasing philanthropic support for advocacy.
As an organisation with significant influence, we take this responsibility seriously. We have an important role to play in lifting ambition and elevating the voices of First Nations people calling for change now and beyond the referendum.
From land rights to stopping Black deaths in custody; fighting racism and inequality; to keeping kids in community and advocating for health, housing, education and beyond - we have the solutions and we know what our communities need.
We believe that when First Nations people lead, we get the best policy outcomes - not just for First Nations communities, but for everyone.
For these reasons, we will support writing yes in this referendum. Our support is based on the principle that laws and policies are better when people affected by those policies have a say. Our support is grounded in demands for substantive change, not symbolism and we see this as a step in the right direction.
Building power and capacity of First Nations-led advocacy and campaigns is a core priority for Australian Progress and we will continue to work with and support First Nations organisations and movements regardless of their position on the referendum.
Some of the projects our First Nations Justice team will deliver this year include:
Common Threads – a two day event in Meanjin (Brisbane) for First Nations advocates to organise and build power of campaigns, build skills and relationships.
Passing the Message Stick – message research on how to win the narrative for transformative change, with specific focus on the referendum and law and justice.
Media training and support for First Nations spokespeople to tell our stories, our way across a range of issues and cut through the mainstream media agenda.
Training & skills development – informed by Common Threads & First Nations advocates.
Convening spaces for First Nations campaigns – informed by Common Threads & First Nations advocates.
Mobilising civil society and philanthropy behind First Nations led campaigns.
We’re inviting First Nations advocates and community members to help shape our capacity building strategy for 2023-2024 - click here to share your ideas for training and events that would benefit your work.
For any questions, feedback or if you want to find out more, we’d love to hear from you - please reach out to me on info@australianprogress.org.au.
Millie Telford, First Nations Justice Director - on behalf of the Australian Progress team