The result of the Secret Harbour by-election should make political leaders across Western Australia pay attention.

People are frustrated, and in many cases they have good reason to be. Cost of living is hurting families, housing feels increasingly out of reach, mortgage holders are under pressure and many people feel governments are changing the rules around things like negative gearing without fixing the bigger problems.

Migration is part of that frustration too. If population growth is outpacing housing and infrastructure, people are going to ask questions. They should be able to do that without being dismissed or labelled.

So I understand why people are looking for alternatives.

But understanding the anger does not mean we should ignore where some of those alternatives may take us.

As the CEO of an Aboriginal community-controlled organisation, I believe we need to look carefully at that.

For more than 30 years, Wungening has seen what happens when Aboriginal people are empowered to lead solutions for their own communities. Culture is not an obstacle to progress. Aboriginal identity is not something Australia needs to move beyond. And recognising the unique history, knowledge and rights of the world's oldest continuing culture does not diminish anyone else's place in this country.

Our experience tells us the opposite. Strong culture creates stronger people, stronger families and stronger communities.

That is why I worry when legitimate economic frustration becomes mixed with arguments that the answer to Australia's problems is to recognise difference less, acknowledge culture less or retreat from the work of reconciliation.

At a time when Australia still has enormous work to do in areas including health, justice, housing, child protection and family wellbeing, I don't believe the answer is to step away from Aboriginal voices or diminish the importance of Aboriginal culture. We need to listen more closely to communities and give them greater ownership over the solutions that affect their lives.

Strong communities aren't created by telling people that somebody else is responsible for their problems. They are created by giving people a voice, creating opportunity, strengthening families and making sure people believe they have a stake in the future.

The people of Secret Harbour have made their democratic choice, and that choice should be respected.

Perhaps the biggest message from Secret Harbour isn't about One Nation at all.

Perhaps it is that too many Australians don't believe they are being heard.

Political leaders should take that message seriously.

They should listen to families worried about mortgages. Listen to young people who can't afford houses. Listen to small business owners. Listen to people worried about infrastructure and migration. And listen to Aboriginal communities when we talk about the challenges our families continue to face.

Because when people stop believing established institutions are listening to them, they will go looking for somebody who appears to be.

I can understand that message from Secret Harbour without agreeing with where it has landed.

The challenge now is making sure frustration doesn't become division.

Australia can demand better economic policy, better government and greater accountability without turning our backs on culture, inclusion or each other.

Our leaders represent us. It is their job to listen, their responsibility to be accountable, and when the community tells them something is not working, they need to be prepared to change.

Daniel Morrison-Bird​ is the Chief Executive Officer of Wungening Aboriginal Corporation.