IAG pledges support for Uluru Statement

Insurance Australia Group (IAG) has pledged its support for the Uluru Statement from the Heart, which calls for the recognition of Indigenous Australians in the nation’s constitution.

IAG, along with 13 other Australian organisations, developed the Response to the Uluru Statement to call for a referendum to enable constitutional reform and to encourage others to join in the national dialogue.

The organisations include BHP, Curtin University, Herbert Smith Freehills, KPMG, Lendlease, National Rugby League, PwC Australia, PwC’s Indigenous Consulting, Qantas, Richmond Football Club, Rio Tinto, Swinburne University of Technology, and Woodside.

“We stand behind the Uluru Statement from the Heart because we believe it is important that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are given the opportunity to have a voice on decisions that affect their communities,” said Peter Harmer, IAG managing director and CEO. “This is an opportunity to use our collective voices to continue to drive conversation about the importance of this statement and the potential for positive change that can empower and support First Nations peoples and communities.”

All 14 organisations have an Elevate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), which provides a framework for organisations to support the national reconciliation movement. There are four tiers of RAPs with Elevate being the highest level of endorsement. Currently, 24 organisations have an Elevate RAP out of more than 1,000 RAPs.

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“Our research shows that an overwhelming majority of Australians support the aspirations within the Uluru Statement from the Heart,” said Karen Mundine, CEO of Reconciliation Australia, which is the organisation behind RAPs. “A collective public statement from our Elevate RAP partners not only demonstrates their leadership and commitment to reconciliation, but also helps to build momentum towards genuine reconciliation.”

“The Uluru Statement from the Heart was issued as an invitation to the Australian public to walk with us in a movement of the Australian people for a better future,” said Pat Anderson, Aboriginal leader and Alyawarre woman. “It is significant that the leadership of corporate Australia has accepted our invitation. I want to thank these organisations for their leadership over the years, their commitment to reconciliation and their historic support for the referendum on a constitutionally enshrined Voice to Parliament.”