IPAA Victoria Statement on National Reconciliation Week 2023

IPAA Victoria recognises the historical and ongoing importance of National Reconciliation Week.

Framed around two significant milestones in this nation’s history, 27 May marks the most successful referendum held in Australian history, where in 1967, over 90% of the population chose to vote ‘yes’ to give the Australian Government power to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander in the Census, and to make dedicated laws, thus recognising existence that had not been recognised constitutionally previously.

3 June recognises that on this day in 1992, the High Court of Australia delivered the Mabo legal decision that terra nullius should not have been applied to Australia. This decision recognised that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have rights to the land, which led to the Australian Parliament passing the Native Title Act in 1993.

In keeping up the momentum for change, IPAA Victoria reflects on this year’s theme Be a Voice for Generations and encourages our members, the public purpose sector and the broader community to be a voice for reconciliation in tangible ways where we live, work and socialise.

This week is a valuable reminder to all that we can and should support and promote significant progress that will make a positive difference for all First Nations peoples. This week is also an important reminder to all, especially allies in the First Nations space, that there is more we can do to support Aboriginal self-determination and reconciliation, all year around.

IPAA Victoria encourages you to learn more about the significance of this week, attend different events, and consider actions you can take to amplify the voices of First Nations friends, colleagues, employees and broader Aboriginal communities.

IPAA Victoria is proud to work alongside its Aboriginal Advisory Committee in implementing its Reconciliation Action Plan, as well as many other initiatives that support First Nations employees across the public purpose sector.