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Ballumb Ambul Ngunnawal and Ngambri yindamarra. Ngadu – yirra bang marang.

In the language of my people – I pay my respects to the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people – and honour their custodianship and care for country.

I extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people here today.

Thank you Aunty Matilda House for the warm Welcome to Country.

I also acknowledge:

• June Oscar AO – the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner
• Summit Co-host Michelle Deshong
• Senator Sue Lines
• Australia’s Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commissioner Micaela Cronin
• WA Commissioner for Children and Young People Jacqueline McGowan-Jones
• NT Acting Children’s Commissioner Nicole Huck

I’d like to thank Commissioner June Oscar and the team at the Australian Human Rights Commission for inviting me to speak at the very first Wiyi Yani U Thangani Women’s Voices Summit.

It’s fantastic to be amongst so many wonderful women from right across the country…

From the Kimberley to the Central Desert and the Torres Strait

This is a truly significant event!

We all know that First Nations women play a vital role in our communities.

We are the life givers and carers

We hold traditional knowledge

We care for country

And we hold our families together.

More than 2,300 First Nations women and girls shared their stories through the Wiyi Yani U Thangani consultations.

And you’ve been hearing from some incredible women during the Summit.

It’s no secret that when it comes to the challenges facing our communities –

Women know the causes.

And we know how to address them.

The strength of women coming together – like we are today –

– is about sharing that knowledge.

Because we are stronger together.

In a moment I’m going to speak to you about the referendum to enshrine an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament in our Constitution

But first, in the spirit of truth-telling – let me tell you a bit about my story.

I’m a proud member of the mighty Wiradjuri Nation.

I grew up in a little town called Whitton – in the Riverina region.

I learnt to swim in irrigation channels.

We shared that water with yabbies, freshwater mussels, leeches and red bellied black snakes –

I was born at a time when a white woman having an Aboriginal baby was shocking –

And doubly so if that woman was not married.

My great aunt Nina, and her brother Billy raised me.

They were of Scottish heritage and in their 60’s when they took me in.

It would not have been easy for them.

An incredibly generous act of courage.

It was their love and kindness that gave me a solid start.

And laid the foundations for the life I have today.

In 2010 I returned to Whitton.

It was the 150th anniversary of the local public school –

I was a NSW Cabinet minister at the time.

A man a little older than me – I guess he would have been one of the big kids when I was at school – said to me:

‘You know, Linda, the day you were born was one of the darkest days this town has ever seen.’

The darkest day this town has ever seen.

I was so shocked I couldn’t respond.

That someone with my story – can be the head of a government department and then a Minister –

The first, First Nations woman in the Federal Cabinet –

And the Minister for Indigenous Australians – is not lost on me.

But what matters is what this represents for Australia

I was 10 years old when Australians voted in 1967.

So for the first decade of my life, I wasn’t even counted as part of the Australian population.

Today I am one of six First Nations Caucus members in the Federal Government.

Wiyi Yani U Thangani (Women’s Voices) Project

The Women’s Voices project allows the voices of First Nations women and girls to be heard.

And I am right behind you – along with my colleagues across the Government.

It’s already achieved so much –

Influencing policy direction across portfolios – and across levels of government.

Your report, Securing Our Rights, Securing Our Future told us what matters to you.

It’s a much-needed blueprint for structural reform.

And I’m looking forward to seeing what comes next.

The outcomes from this summit and the Framework for Action –

Will bring us a step closer to achieving First Nations gender equality and justice in Australia –

Which is the springboard for better lives and outcomes for First Nations women and girls.

Women’s wellbeing and family Safety

Now we all know, that, as First Nations women, we are more likely to face real challenges.

But I stand with all knowing – through my own experience – how strong, determined and resilient we are –

Especially when we work together –

To build a positive future, our people need a good start.

A safe home.

A strong community.

We have a lot of work to do here.

And there are other challenges –

Disproportionately high rates of violence of all kinds, and especially family violence.

We have too many of our women in the justice system.

Too many women with chronic health conditions.

Too many of our children in out of home care.

Domestic and family violence is the main reason women and children leave their homes in Australia.

It is the leading cause of homelessness for our children.

Violence against women and children needs to be prevented by addressing underlying issues – like intergenerational trauma.

The Government’s ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Plan to End Violence against Women and Children is a strong foundation for change.

It acknowledges that past approaches have failed First Nations communities.

That’s why the first ever Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Action Plan, underpinning the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Plan, is a major milestone.

It will be delivered in partnership with community-controlled organisations and across government –

With total funding of $194 million over five years.

Starting with early intervention and recovery programs that will be:

• Community-led.
• Place-based.
• Trauma-aware and culturally responsive.

And the Government has also invested $11.4 million to begin the work of developing a standalone First Nations ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Plan for Family Safety.

Led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women – it will show the way to addressing the levels of violence faced by First Nations women and girls.

Justice

We know the shocking statistics on Justice issues in this country.

There are around 3,500 First Nations women in prison today.

Around 90 percent of these women have experienced trauma – including family violence.

First Nations women are imprisoned at a rate of twenty times more than non-Indigenous women – and sadly that number is growing.

First Nations people are twice as likely to die in custody compared to the broader population.

We are determined to turn this around by doing things differently –

That’s why we have committed to justice re-investment.

To keep more women out of prison in the first place.

Education and employment

But not all the statistics are harrowing.

We know that things are changing in the education space.

Ensuring all children have access to quality education – no matter where they live sets them up for life.

A good education can be life changing.

It is the first step towards empowerment.

First Nations women are doing really well in this area.

Their participation and success in Vocational Education and Training courses and commencing at university has never been stronger.

More than 69 percent of First Nations students starting university in 2021 were female.

This is incredible – let’s keep the momentum going.

Women and girls need accessible, realistic pathways to employment.

Because employment means empowerment.

Of course, more First Nations women and girls in work and leadership roles means more role models for their families and communities.

More First Nations women leaders and role models also means their voices being heard at the decision-making table.

Having Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices at the decision-making table is fundamental to achieving better outcomes.

And if we look around this room – we see much to be proud of.

Budget

As you’d all be aware, last night the government handed down its second budget –

It will help make a difference to the lives of all Australians

With measures that respond to the immediate needs of women and their families by

• expanding the eligibility for the Parenting Payment to single parents, the majority of whom are women, with a youngest dependent child aged under 14 years of age;
• increasing the maximum payment rate of Commonwealth Rent Assistance by 15% for all recipients, with single women making up the majority of recipients;
• increasing support for people receiving working age payments, including JobSeeker;

We are also supporting women’s economic equality and helping to close the gender pay gap by:

• Backing a 15% increase to the minimum wages for aged care workers, over 85% of which are women;

This Budget builds on the Government’s record $1.7 billion investment to end violence against women and children in October, and includes:

• $589.3 million in further investment in the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children to bring the total funding for the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Plan to $2.29 billion. That funding includes:
• $262.6 million to support the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Action Plan to address violence against First Nations women and children;

There are some significant investments that will help deliver a better future for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. It includes

• $424 million for closing the gap priorities
• $20 million to support regional voices
• And the first phase of the $250 million dollar landmark package for a Better Safer Future for Central Australia

Referendum and Voice

I want to talk to you now about the referendum later this year

It’s part of our government’s commitment to implement the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

Constitutional recognition through a Voice is the best chance we have.

To address the injustices of the past.

And create structural change that will deliver a better future.

Because more of the same is not good enough

The referendum will be held between October and December this year.

It is about two things – recognition and listening.

Finally recognising the incredible history we have in this country – of 65,000 years of culture.

And listening, because when we trust in the value of self-determination and local knowledge – the policies and programs are ALWAYS more effective.

I want to pause here and acknowledge the incredible women who have been instrumental in advocating for the Voice.

Professor Megan Davis and Pat Anderson who were co-chairs of the Uluru Dialogues – which led to the Uluru Statement.

Pat and Megan have also been part of the referendum Working Groups and have provided excellent advice to the government

– along with Professor Marcia Langton, Sally Scales, Pat Turner, Hannah McGlade, Geraldine Atkinson, Jackie Huggins and of course June Oscar.

I hope that First Nations girls look to these women and see their future selves.

Because these are the shoulders you can stand on – to achieve great things for yourself.

But you can’t be what you can’t see.

That’s why one of the key design principles that will help shape the Voice – is that it will be gender-balanced

This will mean the Voice will truly be an equal Voice for our women.

The principles also say that the Voice will be community led, inclusive, culturally informed and respectful.

Now I’ve been in politics for a very long time.

And I genuinely believe that we’re on the cusp of great change.

I want to take this county forward – for everyone

And that’s why it is so important to vote ‘yes’ in the referendum –

And go back to your communities and have to conversations about how a Voice will make a practical difference.

Closing

Throughout this summit you’ll learn a lot from each other.

You’ll inspire each other.

But I think the most important thing you can bring to the table is your story and your truth.

Your life experience is your super-power.

Own it, share it, and understand that the wisdom that it brings to the world is unique and valuable.

Walk with courage

And by helping other people see who you are and where you come from, you help us all to understand the world a little better.

What you say will be heard.

It will deliver a better, brighter future for First Nations women and girls.

And later this year we will have a chance to change the constitution –

Through a Voice.

A Voice that will give our women an equal seat at the table.

And build a stronger future together –

For us women, all First Nations people – and the entire country.

Thank you.