At this federal election, change that tinkers at the edges is not good enough write The Lowitja Institute’s Janine Mohamed and Rosemary Smith.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people need the system – the health and education systems in particular but, also the Australian political system – to listen and respond to Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing. To be free of racism. To hear our Voice.

The full implementation of the Uluru Statement, and its call for Voice, Treaty and Truth would be a huge step forward. This would be an opportunity to address the health inequity between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-Indigenous Australians.

The Voice to Parliament could help ensure calls from community to address issues such as climate change, the COVID pandemic, escalating mental health issues, deepening chronic health conditions, and other crises are heard and acted on by government.

Author: Janine Mohamed – Distinguished Fellow and CEO, The Lowitja Institute | Contributor: Rosemary Smith – Executive Manager of Policy, The Lowitja Institute

Read this article in full at The Conversation.

Disclosure statement: The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Photo: Sunrise at Uluru, Mparntwe Arrente Country. Photographer Simon Bradfield