Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress and UnitingCare Australia support commitment to action on the Uluru Statement from the Heart
The Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress and UnitingCare Australia welcome the commitment from the incoming Labor Government to take action on the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
“In the Uniting Church, we are walking together as First and Second Peoples towards national policy changes that build relationships and respect self-determination”, said Rev Mark Kickett, Interim Chair of the Uniting Aboriginal Islander Congress.
“At the 16th Triennial Uniting Church Assembly recently we renewed the Covenant between the Uniting Church in Australia (UCA) and the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress.
“All First Peoples and Second Peoples can change the future as we walk together in partnership.
“We uphold, celebrate, and honour the contributions of those who have come before us.”
As an agency of the Assembly of the Uniting Church, UnitingCare Australia is committed to the Church’s recently renewed Covenant with the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress.
UnitingCare Australia National Director Claerwen Little said the renewal of the Covenant was a significant step forward in the ongoing journey toward lasting justice for First Peoples.
“The renewal of the Covenant gives us an opportunity to join together and honour National Reconciliation Week’s theme, ‘Be Brave. Make Change’.
“UnitingCare Australia will be calling for significant changes, based on the Uluru Statement from the Heart in the near future as we look to the incoming 47th Parliament of Australia.
“It’s time for us to ensure our First Peoples are recognised in our constitution,” said Ms Little.
Rev Kickett said First Peoples want to start a new chapter with the community and the government, and collaborate and co-design everything that is important to them.
“We want to uphold the principles of the Uluru Statement and change the system to reflect us, our culture and our sovereignty as the First Peoples in Australia.
“We ask the incoming government to right the wrongs of the past and recognise our sovereignty through a National Voice to Parliament.
“And we will be holding the Government and the Parliament to account until real change is delivered.”