Constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is long overdue, says Innes Willox, Chief Executive of the national employer association, Ai Group.
“Like many other businesses and business organisations, Ai Group has been actively and genuinely supporting reconciliation,” Mr Willox said.
“Ai Group and businesses generally have been developing reconciliation action plans and looking for ways to recruit and train Aboriginal and Torres Strait islanders.
“Constitutional recognition is critical to achieving the widely agreed ambition to strengthen relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples, for the benefit of all Australians.
“Just as there are a range of views across the community on how recognition can be achieved, there are a range of views across our membership — employers and employees.
“In the end it will be individuals who will decide the referendum outcome and we will be working to ensure our members have the information to be well informed of the issues and what is at stake,” Mr Willox said.
In addition to his role at Ai Group, Innes Willox is Chair of the Social Policy Group, a national, non-government, not-for-profit body with specialist expertise in social policy and program design with a focus on population diversity, social and community cohesion, gender equality, community participation and inclusion, systems’ responsiveness and community outreach and engagement.
The Social Policy Group is developing resources in conjunction with the Australian Electoral Commission to assist with explaining the referendum process, with a particular focus on migrant communities.
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