Today marks a year since the 2023 referendum on constitutional recognition of Australia’s First Nations people through the establishment of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.

We acknowledge the pain this anniversary stirs for many.

But today, we thank the 6.2 million Australians—40 per cent of the population—who voted yes and acknowledge the fact that 80 per cent of Indigenous Australians were among them.

At the Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia, we affirm our unwavering commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their communities.

For us, the answer is and always will be ‘Yes.’

We encourage and emphasise the need for ongoing dialogue and collaborative efforts to address the disproportionate health issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their communities, and work to ensure these voices are at the forefront of the national agenda.