As the Central Coast’s most trusted disability and aged care provider, the Coastlink Board recognises the unbroken and unbreakable connection to the lands of modern Australia of its First Nations people. We also recognise their continuing custodianship of those lands.
We strongly believe in a vision for an Australia that embraces diversity and recognises the value and contribution of all. Our vision is for an inclusive Australia where all people with disability live safely and equitably.
The Coastlink Board believes in the rights of all people with disability to have choice, control and decision-making power over their lives, and as such, it is our role to ensure that our organisation provides culturally appropriate services to our region.
It follows that we also support choice and control for First Nations people and their right to have a say in matters that affect them, and we note that the delivery of services to people with disability is a matter that particularly affects First Nations people.
In accordance with our core organisational values, we support a constitutionally enshrined Voice to Parliament and we believe that the upcoming referendum offers an opportunity to take an important step forward to strengthen our national system of governance.
As a Board, we will continue to encourage everyone to engage in respectful conversations as we seek to come together as a nation in our understanding of the diverse perspectives on this important issue.
We also respect that some stakeholders will hold a different view and each of us must make our own decisions independently, as is our democratic right.
Irrespective of the outcome of the referendum, Coastlink will continue to embrace the spirit of Reconciliation and walk with our region’s First Nations Australians in a movement towards a better future.
The Coastlink Board