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Thursday October 05, 2023

The Australian and New Zealand Society for Immunology (ASI) supports the formal recognition of the First peoples of Australia in the constitution and the establishment of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament, recognising the importance of this pivotal step in our nation's journey towards reconciliation and equity.

In our capacity as immunologists, we are guided by the principles of evidence-based knowledge, working to understand the intricate workings of the immune system in safeguarding us from diseases. We recognise that the knowledge of the immune system possessed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities is distinctive, profound and provides invaluable insights. These First Nations communities have, for millennia, been the first scientists of this land, utilising their deep connection and understanding of the land and environment and traditional practices to safeguard their health and well-being.

We believe that working with First Nations communities is crucial to improving the outcomes of First Nations peoples. The Voice to Parliament will be an important step in improving how we as a nation collaborate with our First Peoples, and in turn, how they determine their own destiny. We believe this will be a key milestone along the road to a lasting reconciliation between Australia and it’s First Peoples.

ASI Council
5th October 2023

This statement was developed in consultation with the ASI Council and indigenous scientists.