anglican focus

The news site of the Anglican Church Southern Queensland: nourishing and connecting our faith community

First Nations peoples

Justice & Advocacy Two young Aboriginal children Justice & Advocacy

Post-referendum RAP Working Group statement

“Last week the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Anglican Council (NATSIAC) — the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voice to General Synod — gathered for their annual meeting in Newcastle…During the meeting, the overwhelming majority of NATSIAC report presenters expressed their sadness and dismay at the referendum result. There was also a sense that the referendum result exposed a deeper darkness in this land…There was a lingering feeling of deep sadness, as well as bewilderment, dismay and a fear for the future, especially for the future of our children,” say The Rev’d Canon Bruce Boase, Aunty Dr Rose Elu and Aunty Sandra King OAM

Justice & Advocacy

Why I am voting “yes" in the referendum: Jill Rylatt

“In my experience, the best way to find out what’s working and what’s not is to ask the people who are receiving the services. The Voice will be an advisory body, and when it’s up and running Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members from the grassroots will be able to communicate via a direct avenue to Parliament about why ‘the gap’ isn’t closing and how best to close it,” says former nurse Jill Rylatt from St John’s, Hervey Bay

Justice & Advocacy

Why I am voting “yes” in the referendum: Aiden Wu

“I believe that the Voice will help enable more culturally safe and person-centred healthcare because we would be able to better shape the policies that impact us. We need to keep our kids healthy and in school if we are to later see them in university rather than in prison,” says Torres Strait Islander man and nursing student Aiden Wu from St John’s College within the University of Queensland

Justice & Advocacy

Why I am voting “yes” in the referendum: Barry Kuskopf

“Indigenous peoples have ancient cultures and ancient wisdom to share, including solutions from the grassroots to address the inter-generational impacts of children being stolen from their families. I am convinced that the Voice to Parliament will allow these solutions to be communicated in an effective way to enable healing,” says Barry Kuskopf from Christ Church, St Lucia

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