WINHANGA-DURI-NYA, meaning “reflect” – Wirjudjuri language
Artist Lani Balzan
The Prime Minister’s desire to enshrine an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament in the Australian Constitution has sparked a broad conversation about reconciliation and the Government’s proposal.
This conversation is not confined to parliaments and politicians. Business leaders, community organisations and sports stars will also be asked whether or not they support the referendum proposal. As a prominent business group, this question will be put to the Property Council.
The Property Council and the property industry have a proud track record of commitment to social impact issues, including our work addressing youth homelessness through the Property Industry Foundation, the progress being made on gender diversity under the leadership of the Property Champions of Change and the many members which are embarking on their own reconciliation journeys (as is the Property Council). This important social impact role is recognised within the Property Council’s new 2022 – 2025 Strategic Plan.
Unlike tax, planning or sustainability, when it comes to the Voice to Parliament proposal, we don’t have a history of member engagement from which to draw. Members are only now considering how their organisations may wish to position on this issue and how to have this conversation with their own staff and stakeholders. In recognition of this, the Property Council’s Board has decided to commence a process of consultation with members and staff to determine what position we should take.
As a member-based organisation, engaging with members is hardwired into the DNA of the Property Council and this consultation process is designed to provide input to the Board to enable it to adopt a position in February.
The Property Council has prepared a discussion paper as the basis for this consultation and is inviting comments from Division Councils, Diversity and Inclusion Committee members, individual members and our staff team.
To support this process, we will hold an online member information forum early in the new year to explore the issues and help inform members. This forum will include First Nations perspectives.
The Government’s proposal raises issues which are important for everyone in Australian society, including in our industry. Please take some time to read this discussion paper and provide your views.
