Big business has stepped up its campaign in favour of a constitutionally enshrined ‘voice’ for indigenous Australians, with BHP Group chief executive Andrew Mackenzie using a speech in Perth this morning to endorse the proposal.
Big business has stepped up its campaign in favour of a constitutionally enshrined ‘voice’ for indigenous Australians, with BHP Group chief executive Andrew Mackenzie using a speech in Perth this morning to endorse the proposal.
Mr Mackenzie’s speech was followed by a joint statement with fellow miner Rio Tinto endorsing the Uluru Statement, which was released in 2017 and quickly dismissed by then prime minister Malcolm Turnbull.
Today’s speech was endorsed by the Business Council of Australia, which has long supported constitutional recognition for indigenous Australians.
The BCA represents Australia’s 100 largest companies and its chief executive, Jennifer Westacott, is a director of Wesfarmers.
Addressing a Committee for Economic Development of Australia breakfast, Mr Mackenzie said he wanted to clearly, directly and unequivocally state BHP’s position.
“We endorse the call for empowerment of the Uluru Statement from the Heart,” he said.
“We believe that the Constitution should be amended so that the voices of Indigenous Australians can be fully heard.
“Because the longer I’ve been at BHP, the more certain I’ve become that this great company, like this great country, has unfinished business with the Indigenous peoples of Australia.
“That is why we cannot stand on the sidelines.”
Mr Mackenzie said that having a First Nations voice to parliament would be a meaningful step towards reconciliation.
“It would empower Indigenous Australians and it would make sure Indigenous people have a say on the legislation, policy and programs that shape Indigenous lives, families and communities,” he said.
Mr Mackenzie dismissed concerns about the change.
“There are fears that a constitutionally-enshrined voice confirmed by referendum will deepen cultural divisions and is undemocratic,” he said.
“These fears don’t stand up to scrutiny.”
Mr Mackenzie said the BHP Foundation (a charitable organisation funded by BHP) plans to invest around $1 million in Cape York Partnership’s Uluru Education Project, which supports constitutional recognition.
Rio Tinto managing director Australia Joanne Farrell added her support.
“Enshrining the First Nations Voice in the Constitution is important to ensure continued participation in decisions about Indigenous rights and interests,” she said.
“We believe national conversations around constitutional reform must continue as a priority for our country.
“As the largest private sector employer of Indigenous people in Australia, we look forward to working with Indigenous communities, State and Federal governments and the rest of Australia to take this next step towards reconciliation.”
The Uluru Statement from the Heart was a national statement on constitutional recognition that came out of the First Nations National Constitutional Convention, held over three days in May 2017.
The statement followed consultation at 13 regional forums across Australia featuring 1,200 delegates.
This was described as the most proportionately significant consultation process undertaken to date with the nation’s 600,000 Indigenous Australians.