b'Indigenous ReconciliationReconciliation in Australia refers to an ongoingThe most recent report on Closing the Gap, Indigenousprocess of negotiating and strengthening thewhich measures progress on 19 key targets and relationship between First Nations peoples andindicators, found that just 4 of the 15 assessed key non-First Nations Australians and the Australianindicators were on track.Seven of the 11 indicators state. Reconciliation involves acknowledgment of,not on track were moving in the right direction, and action to address, the historical and ongoingalbeit not fast enough.Four key indicators; rates Reconciliation injustice and harm to First Nations peoples. Itof adult imprisonment, children in out-of-home includes substantial effort to close the gap incare, childrens early development outcomes at the outcomes between First Nations and non-Firsttime of starting school, and suicide all worsened.Nations peoples. In short, the gap is not closing fast enough, and in some cases not at all.This year saw a significant moment in Australias history, with a referendum held toFrom policy development to grassroots initiatives, alter the Australian constitution to enshrine anaction needs to be taken across all sectors.The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to the2022 Australian Reconciliation Barometer produced Commonwealth Parliament.The Voice referendumby Reconciliation Australia found that more than did not pass, with a majority of voters choosing Nohalf of the general community, and more than 60% (approximately 60% nationally) and a majority ofof Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, also states voting No. However, the referendum resultsbelieve that the private sector must do more.also showed that remote First Nations communities were strongly behind the Voice, as the Yes vote didThe Australian business sector is being more active much better in places with large numbers of Firstin reconciliation than ever before.Over 2,700 Nations residents. Australian organisations now have a formalised Reconciliation Action Plan through Reconciliation The proposal for a First Nations Voice to beAustralia and have made commitments across five enshrined in the Australian Constitution arosedimensions of reconciliation; from the Uluru Statement from the Heart, which itself was built on decades of advocacy from First1.historical acceptance, Nations peoples.The Uluru Statement was the2.race relations, largest consensus of First Nations peoples3.equality and equity, on a proposal for substantive recognition in4.institutional integrity and the Australian constitution in Australian history.5.unity.Presented to the Australian people in May 2017,Businesses, including law firms, can take action in the Uluru Statement is an invitation from Firstkey areas such as:Nations people to walk with them in a movement of the Australian people for a better future. It calledcultural awareness, cultural competency and for three key structural reformsvoice, treaty andanti-racism trainingtruth. The goal of the Voice to parliament wasemployment diversityto ensure First Nations peoples are heard andsupply chain diversity respected in the policy-making process.pro-bono servicesDespite the no vote, the referendum campaigncommunity engagementraised the profile of the challenges faced by Firstpolicy and advocacyNations communities and the need for action, nowNow is the time to ensure that Reconciliation more than ever. Self-determination is a fundamentalAction Plans have a greater impact than ever right for First Nations people and is essential forbefore. Treaty and truth-telling are still elements of achieving better outcomes in First Nations policy. the Uluru Statement from the Heart that need to be There is now a moment for the nation to reflect andaddressed, and this is where Reconciliation Action recalibrate for the journey ahead, and how we canPlans can make a real difference.create a more equitable and just society.13'