Jade Ritchie: Voice a chance for Australia to move forward as united community

The Voice is an opportunity for all Australians to accept the invitation to move forward as a united community. This is not a time for us and them, but for the best version of us all.

“The Gap”. Two words that speak to the lived experience of First Nations people, and take on a profound meaning for all Australians.

When we talk about closing the gap, we’re usually referring to the disparity between Indigenous peoples and non-Indigenous Australians on key health, education and economic opportunity targets. Right now, only four out of 19 closing the gap targets are “on track”.

The gap is what ties the historical injustice, the lack of recognition for Indigenous Australians, to the present challenges of our people. The rates of our children in out-of-home care has almost tripled in the past 15 years, whilst the percentage of Indigenous children commencing school being assessed as developmentally on track is also going backwards.

Right now, as we ready ourselves for the upcoming referendum we also have the chance to close the gap in our understanding of the challenges faced by Indigenous people, the gap in our national identity, the gap in our relationship. These are also gaps for all Australians to reckon with.

During my travels across the nation, I am struck by two contrasting things – firstly, the cognitive dissonance of some, those who are satisfied with the status quo because they are unaware of the harm it causes, but secondly the goodwill and support from others who are eagerly signing up to walk with us to create change for better outcomes and a truly reconciled nation.

We have the chance to close the gap in our understanding of the challenges faced by Indigenous people. Picture: Tertius Pickard

This year we have a momentous opportunity. An opportunity to come together as a nation, recognise and embrace more than 60,000 years of culture and to redesign systems to enable Indigenous people to thrive, rather than merely survive.

Failed policy, uninformed decisions, fiscal irresponsibility and a common lack of understanding of the root cause of the issues have kept us in a holding pattern of disadvantage.

Giving a voice to those who are affected is the key to unlocking the solutions. There is no silver bullet, but we now have a blueprint forward and recognition through a Voice is a step towards a better, more unified future.

A step towards an aspirational vision for Australia. It comes as a request from a long consultation across Indigenous communities. It is supported by over 80 per cent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

Recognition starts by acknowledging the unique histories and cultures that make up Indigenous Australia, and how that is fundamental to our Australia. We acknowledge it in our most fundamental legal document – our Constitution.

Practically, the Voice is that step forward towards closing the gap. It’s our path to better outcomes across areas such as health, education, jobs and housing.

The Voice gives Indigenous people a say in the laws and policies made about them. It will lead to better laws and better outcomes.

Anthony Albanese and the Referendum Working Group members after the Constitution Alteration passed in the Senate. Picture: Martin Ollman

This change is not a hypothetical. We know when communities are empowered and heard, real change is made. Examples of this exist across the world and here in Australia.

Koori Courts established over the last 20 years have led to examples of better outcomes in the justice system. Involvement of Indigenous leadership in the Covid response led to a reversal of the gap in medical outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. We have seen it work.

There is an opportunity for all Australians to accept the invitation to move forward as a united community. This is not a time for us and them, but for the best version of us all.

Over these next few months all Australians will get to participate in a national conversation. A period for introspection and discussion, about how to make our country and our democracy work a little better.

A time to consider what we want our national identity to look like. A unifying moment where we draw a line under the ineffective and harmful policy development and decide together that we will do better. We will all reap the benefits of creating a more unified nation that acknowledges and embraces the richness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

By voting yes and working together to a better future we have nothing to lose and so very much to gain. We all agree the status quo is not working and those insistent on maintaining failing systems should be challenged on why that is.

Have this conversation with your family, your friends, in your workplaces, pubs, places of faith, sporting clubs (which may double as places of faith), and across your communities.

Talk openly and listen broadly.

I’m excited by this referendum. This is a chance for all Australians to have their voices heard. A chance to affirm our shared vision for Australia’s future. A chance to walk a little closer together on our path of progress, and also close the gap.

Jade Ritchie is spokeswoman for the Yes 23 campaign

Originally published as Jade Ritchie: Voice a chance for Australia to move forward as united community