WANADA Supports a First Nations Voice to Parliament
WANADA Supports a First Nations Voice to Parliament
The WANADA Board is pleased to announce its unanimous support for a First Nations Voice enshrined in our Constitution, to recognise, listen to and learn from First Nations peoples in Parliament.
WANADA strongly supports Aboriginal Self-Determination and recognises its importance in the alcohol and other drug sector and more broadly, the wider Australian community. WANADA wishes to express its support concurrently with the National Closing the Gap Day (16 March) and the commencement of WA Harmony Week (15-21 March).
We encourage our members and the broader community to consider their role in supporting the principles of Self-Determination, closing the gap, and enshrining a First Nations voice in our Constitution.
Background to the First Nations Voice to Parliament
The Uluru Statement from the Heart calls for legal and structural reforms, namely a First Nations Voice to Parliament and the establishment of a Makarrata Commission to oversee agreement making and truth telling about Australia’s history.
A First Nations Voice to Parliament is a Constitutionally-enshrined First Nations body which will be able to influence laws and policies that affect First Nations communities via Federal Parliament. Embedding a Voice in the Constitution means that future Governments cannot abolish the Voice.
More information is available via the Uluru Statement website.
Sector News and Events
![HepatitisWA's Matt Armstrong standing outside the HepatitisWA Building.](https://wanada.org.au/wp-content/uploads/18072024-matthewarmstrong_hepwavisit001-668x407.png)
HepatitisWA – A Long Journey
WANADA recently met with HepatitisWA program manager Matthew Armstrong to discuss the organisation's vision, progress and goals.
![A smiling woman with copper shoulder length hair with brown eyes, wearing a white top and blush blazer.](https://wanada.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024_paola_bohorquez-668x407.jpg)
Encouraging Staff Development
WANADA Quality Systems Officer Paola Bohorquez recently completed the ‘Facilitate Continuous Improvement’ course.
![Two posters side by side - both with WA Health logos and the Know Your Blood Campaign text. The poster on the left shows two Aboriginal women from behind, while the one on the right shows two Aboriginal men from behind - all walking to a health clinic.](https://wanada.org.au/wp-content/uploads/men-women-look-after-your-blood-2-668x407.jpg)
Look After Your Blood Campaign
A new campaign aims to reduce Hepatitis C and HIV among Aboriginal people in WA.
![People in a large room, some standing and talking, others sitting at round tables talking or taking notes.](https://wanada.org.au/wp-content/uploads/240528-coms-img-web-aod-conference-2021-1.png)
Save the Date – 2025 WA Alcohol and other Drug Conference
Event Date : 5 - 7 March 2025
We're excited to announce that the 2025 Western Australian Alcohol and other Drug Conference is set for Wednesday 5 March to Friday 7 March 2025 at the Esplanade Hotel, Walyalup / Fremantle.