Dear Sir,
As we celebrate NAIDOC Week, we are reminded that it is not just a time of reflection but also an opportunity to listen, learn, and act with purpose.
This year’s theme, “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy”, encourages all Australians to honour the resilience, culture and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, while supporting the young leaders who will shape the future.
Victoria continues to fall short on closing the gap, with First Nations people significantly over-represented in the justice and child protection systems. Despite comprising just one per cent of the population, Aboriginal children make up 31 per cent of those in out-of-home care.
Educational disadvantage and a mental health crisis among our youth further highlights the urgent need for community-led solutions.
I am firmly committed to improving closing the gap outcomes, fostering genuine community-led partnerships and maintaining connection to Country to drive and achieve lasting change.
Together, we can build a better future where cultural knowledge is not lost, but honoured; and where every young First Nations person thrives and is supported to lead with strength, vision and legacy.
Warm regards,
Jade Benham MP
