Corporate Voice backers are not committing to First Nations spend

A young Indigenous leader says if corporations’ support for the Voice is not transformed into supporting grassroots solutions, it showed it wasn’t a genuine commitment.

Corporate giants that poured millions of dollars into the Yes campaign for the Voice are not committing to calls to spend the same money supporting grassroots solutions in First Nations communities.

Three of the biggest backers – Qantas, Rio Tinto and BHP – pledged to continue engagement with Indigenous communities or to continue supporting reconciliation.

But they have stopped short of matching their Yes23 contributions with ongoing donations to grassroots programs.

Most of the country’s biggest companies, including the big four banks, Telstra and Woolworths, backed the Yes campaign.

Gulf Region Economic Aboriginal Trust director Mangubadijarri Yanner said companies needed to get behind grassroots solutions to drive better outcomes in First Nations communities, or their contributions during the referendum campaign would not appear genuine.

Gulf Region Economic Aboriginal Trust director Mangubadijarri Yanner. Picture: Twitter

“You had big corporations and celebrities get behind the campaign,” Mr Yanner said.

“I would like to see that support translate into supporting grassroots solutions.

“That needs to happen. Otherwise it shows it wasn’t genuine commitment to listen to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

“It can’t just be badges and social media posts.”

Mr Yanner was supportive of the Yes campaign and said the size of the opposition to the proposal was disheartening.

“This can’t and won’t be the end result,” he said.

“It’s time to pull up our bootstraps and work towards getting results.”

Mr Yanner also urged the state government to consider its own state-based, legislated Voice, as well as continuing on the process toward a treaty and truth-telling commission.

Then Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the launch of the Qantas Yes campaign in August. Picture: NCA Newswire /Gaye Gerard

A Qantas spokeswoman said the airline was a long-term supporter of recognition and reconciliation, but stopped short of detailing how much it spent on the campaign or contributing the same amount to grassroots programs.

“We remain focused on making a practical difference to closing the gap through things like using First Nations suppliers and offering employment and scholarships for Indigenous people in aviation, as well as promoting Indigenous art and culture to the world,” she said.

Mining giants BHPand Rio Tinto each donated $2m toward the Yes23 campaign.

BHP’s Australian president Geraldine Slattery said the company respected the democratic process and recognised it had and would continue to be a difficult time for many people.

BHP’s Australian president Geraldine Slattery. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Ian Currie

“Our focus now is on providing support to our people where it’s needed and continuing to strengthen our longstanding relationships with traditional owners and Indigenous partners,” she said.

“BHP will continue to engage with traditional owners and Indigenous partners, employees and organisations to understand their priorities, and inform our approach.”

Rio Tinto’s Australian chief executive Kellie Parker said the company was committed to “meaningful engagement, trust, mutual benefit, and genuine understanding of Indigenous people’s views and interests”.

“We are committed to and believe the people to guide Indigenous policy and practice are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people themselves,” she said.

BHP and Rio Tinto each have existing university scholarship programs for Indigenous students.