Ballumb Ambul Ngunnawal and Ngambri yindamarra. Ngadu – yirra bang marang.
In the language of my people, the Wiradjuri, I pay my respects to the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people – and honour their custodianship and care for country.
I extend this respect to all First Nations women here tonight.
Thank you Aunty Matilda for your Welcome
I wasn’t able to leave parliament before 630pm
It’s a far cry from when Julia and Julia were in the house
I am delighted to be here on this very special occasion
For the launch of the WEE YAH-nee-you DUNG-ah-nee] Institute for First Nations Gender Justice and Equality.
And hello to you all watching online
Thank you June for the invitation.
I also acknowledge Julia Gillard – the Chair of the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership
Julie Bishop ANU Chancellor
And Vice Chancellor Professor Genevieve Bell
The Wiyi Yani U Thangani Women’s Voices project is truly ground breaking.
It allowed the voices of more than 2,300 First Nations women and girls across the country – to be heard.
For their truths to be understood
Women and girls shared their stories from their hearts
For many, it was the first time they’d been asked to share what was important to them.
The report documents First Nations women and girls self-determined strengths, challenges and aspirations
It provides a blueprint – or blackprint as June has described - for structural reform.
The Gender Justice Institute is the first of its kind in Australia
It will carry forward the voice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and girls
And advance our understanding of their needs and aspirations.
The Wiyi Yani U Thangani report, tells us that First Nations women and girls are living within a system that perpetuates cycles of discrimination.
Yet the solutions are sitting within community.
We need to listen.
The Institute will bring together First Nations researchers to design systemic change initiatives to improve life outcomes
And deliver lasting change for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and girls.
We know the statistics are alarming
And tonight is not the time to focus on these.
Tonight we look forward with optimism, to the establishment of the Institute, which will harness the aspirations and strengths of First Nations women.
These women – our Mothers, Grandmothers, Aunties and Sisters – are the backbones of our communities
They are strong
Caring for our kids, families and Country.
The Institute will continue to listen to and champion the voices of First Nations women and girls
And ensure our ways of knowing and doing form the foundations of solutions and initiatives that respond to the needs of First Nations women and girls.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank June for her incredible work as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner.
I had the privilege of attending the National Summit here in Canberra in May last year.
Being surrounded by 900 inspiring First Nations women and girls in the one room was a truly momentous occasion.
And such an achievement
During your term you have been a strong and passionate advocate
And you’ve taken so many women and girls along on the journey with you as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner.
June Oscar – thank you for all you have done and I am looking forward to continue working with you at the Institute.
And I look very much forward to being able to share some positive news in the near future.