MEDIA ALERT
7 September 2023
The Salvation Army: Referendum spokespeople
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice
Captain Stuart Glover* and General Manager for Policy and Advocacy, Jennifer Kirkaldy are available for media interviews in the lead-up to the Voice referendum on October 14.
Interviews with representatives from The Salvation Army’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander programs can also be arranged upon request.
Our spokespeople can provide expert commentary regarding the challenges faced by First Nations communities and why The Salvation Army is committed to supporting an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice being enshrined in the Constitution, as a social justice response.
The Salvation Army sees first-hand the social injustices experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, who are over-represented in almost every service we operate across Australia1.
In 2022, The Salvation Army’s homelessness services assisted almost 37,000 people. Of these, nearly one in five (18.6%) identified as First Nations peoples, which is nearly six times higher than the total proportion of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ population in Australia (3.2%). Our Doorways emergency relief services assisted almost 100,000 people. Of these, nearly one in four (23.5%) identified as Frist Nations peoples, seven times higher than the total proportion of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ population in Australia (3.2%).
Captain Stuart Glover said the upcoming referendum was an opportunity to make real change.
“We support the call of one of the most disadvantaged sections of our community to have their voice heard and bring about positive change. This is not just symbolism. This is our opportunity as a nation to take a very significant and practical step towards making a real difference in the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities,” Captain Glover said.
“We encourage respectful, inclusive discussion regarding the Voice, based on fact, and for all Australians to seek information from trusted sources to make an informed decision.”
*Captain Stuart Glover is a proud member of the Bundjalung Nation.
Captain Stuart Glover is based in Melbourne and Jennifer Kirkaldy is based in Canberra.
ENDS
For more information or to arrange an interview, contact The Salvation Army’s Media Relations Department on 02 9466 3143.
1 Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Estimates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, June 2021. Canberra: ABS https://www.abs.gov.au/articles/australia-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-population-summary