CareSuper Supports the Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and the Voice to Parliament

CareSuper pledges its support of the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through the constitutionally enshrined Voice to Parliament. We believe this is a crucial step towards reconciliation and ensuring a fairer future for all Australians.

CareSuper understands that the decision on how to vote is a personal one and supports respectful conversation around the upcoming referendum.

We acknowledge the powerful statement made by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tribes at the 2017 National Constitutional Convention. Their plea for substantive constitutional change, structural reform, and the establishment of a First Nations Voice enshrined in the Constitution resonates deeply with our commitment to equity, justice, and self-determination.

Cr Linda Scott, Chair CareSuper, emphasizes the importance of this movement. "At CareSuper, we have long been dedicated to improving retirement outcomes for all Australians. The inequality in retirement outcomes in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities is something that our industry has a responsibility to address. We strongly believe that supporting vulnerable members across the super industry and within our fund is our duty and is in the best interest of all members."

The 2016 study Retirement Adequacy of Indigenous Australians found the retirement savings of Indigenous workers were approximately 27% lower than those of the average non-Indigenous worker and emphasized the importance of addressing the retirement savings gap among Indigenous Australians. Improving indigenous lifetime outcomes is a significant public policy issue.

Ms Scott adds, "the forthcoming referendum presents a unique opportunity for the needs of First Nations Australians to be better addressed by policy makers and for focus on the disparities in retirement standards of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians to be amplified.”

CareSuper is committed to playing an active role in driving positive change and supporting a fair and more equitable relationship between all Australians. We join Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people on this journey towards a better future.