Continuing the constitutional conversation
An expert panel discussion hosted recently by Westpac enabled employees to gain greater insight into the complexities and possible pathways ahead for the movement towards recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia's Constitution.
The audience heard perspectives from Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister, The Hon. Alan Tudge; Recognise spokesperson Chloe Wighton; and former federal politician Aden Ridgeway; as they covered many aspects of the movement - from its history, through to the challenges of holding a referendum, through to its importance to the nation's identity.
Westpac's Group Head of Sustainability, Siobhan Toohill, who moderated the panel, said the panel discussion was an important step in keeping with the commitments of Westpac's Reconciliation Action Plan.
"In our Reconciliation Action Plan, we have committed to work alongside Recognise to raise awareness of the movement towards Constitutional Recognition among employees, customers and other stakeholders," she said.
"This is a topic of considerable national importance and, in consultation with our Westpac Indigenous Advisory Committee, we believe we can play a role to help people gain a greater understanding of the complexities so as to arm them with knowledge as we move closer towards a possible referendum."