Dutton snub doesn't deter Empowered Communities push for bipartisan Voice support

Jarred Cross
Jarred Cross Published February 17, 2023 at 12.00am (AWST)

A delegation of Indigenous leaders advocating for the Voice to Parliament will continue to seek support across the aisle despite an invitation to Opposition Leader Peter Dutton to meet in Canberra going ignored.

Last week 10 delegates from Empowered Communities travelled to the nation's capital for discussions around bipartisan support for constitutional recognition of First Nations people with more than 20 MPs, senators and ministers.

The organisation works with government and corporate entities to inform cooperative approach to Aboriginal policy and programs, representing remote, regional and urban areas from Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands in central Australia to the inner-suburbs of Sydney.

Empowered Communities Cape York representative Fiona Jose said that despite several attempts to start a dialogue with Mr Dutton, the first on January 17, a response never came.

"Of course we are disappointed. Our lives and futures and the future of the country are at stake. The need for constitutional recognition of the first Australians is long overdue," Ms Jose said.

"We hope all politicians are prepared to listen and learn about the importance of constitutional recognition through Voice, because we know from lived experience there is much learning to be done on all sides."

Ms Jose said constitutional recognition will provide a foundation for effective partnership, co-design, reform and "ensure Indigenous voices are heard from the ground up in decisions that affect our lives, so we can drive better outcomes and more productive use of resources".

Despite silence from the opposition leader, the group isn't willing to pass on their aim to bring all sides of politics together.

"We came to Canberra seeking a multipartisan approach…we urge him now to come to us," Empowered Communities chair Ian Trust said.

In a letter, the group invited Mr Dutton to meet - this time in their communities.

"We can tell you from experience, the current system is broken. It is difficult for those on the ground to get their voices heard in the current top-down, one-size fits all approach. This is why outcomes remain so poor," their letter read.

"It is Indigenous families and communities on the frontline across our regions that must drive change and action to implement local solutions to local problems, with the support of our government partners.

"Together we can increasingly attack entrenched disadvantage. It is in our regions and communities where real change must occur."

As of Thursday 16 February they had not received a response.

The National Indigenous Times contacted Mr Dutton's office for comment.

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National Indigenous Times

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