Tuesday, 30 May 2023

Ministers statements: First Nations policies

Daniel ANDREWS (Mulgrave – Premier) (14:05): I am pleased to rise in this National Reconciliation Week to share with the house our government’s investment in meaningful change for First Peoples – for First Peoples by First Peoples, that sense of self-determination that runs right through all of our policy decisions and the work of this government, most recently of course in last week’s budget. Just prior to the budget I was very pleased to be at the MCG with Uncle Michael Long, not only an Essendon champion but a champion Australian and such a strong and passionate leader of First Nations Australians. His Long Walk some almost 20 years ago when he asked for then Prime Minister John Howard to listen and do more and do better was a profoundly important moment then, and as we approach the 20th occasion on which that walk will be conducted, he will be back again walking to Canberra at the end of this year. I think he will get a very different response from the Labor Prime Minister in office now than he perhaps did way back then.

But as important as that occasion was to come together and reflect on Michael’s leadership and the leadership of so many other First Nations Australians, it was also fitting just a few days later to bring down a budget with the biggest ever boost for First Nations supports. Of particular note, we are making sure that Aboriginal child protection is run by Aboriginal people, and also advancing treaty, truth and justice, leading our nation and getting this done – not being divided by this and not being overwhelmed by it as a challenge, but instead seeing it as a critical opportunity to do more and do better.

We all know that in health, in education, in early years and in every area of public policy, if we engage with Aboriginal people and listen to them, then we get much better outcomes, not just for Aboriginal people but for all of us. We all pay the price of failure in dollars and in other terms. That is why the Voice is so important. That is why I will be voting yes, and I hope all honourable members will do the same.