LISTENup! is a coalition of concerned organisations and individuals seeking a better response to Aboriginal and Islander disadvantage; a response based on listening to Aboriginal and Islander voices, communities and services.

LISTENup! looks to the future for both Aboriginal and Islander communities and the nation as a whole. It is clear that there is a need for commitment from politicians and policy makers to key principles which recognise Aboriginal and Islander voice, Aboriginal and Islander rights and Aboriginal and Islander led services and programs. We are therefore calling on organisations, political parties and candidates to make a pledge to the LISTENup! principles and actions for the advancement of Aboriginal and Islander people.

There is a clear need for an immediate response and a long-term development plan to address issues of Aboriginal and Islander disadvantage which lead to poor health, suicide and child abuse. The LISTENup! actions seek a return to respectful and decent approaches to both immediate and long term needs.

We believe that only a framework which is based on Aboriginal and Islander self-determination, connection to land and culture will be successful. Numerous expert reports, including the Little Children are Sacred Report, and overseas evidence suggests that properly resourced Aboriginal and Islander community-controlled processes and services create the right environment to address issues that are caused by historic and current day processes of marginalisation. It is also clear that self-determination requires respectful partnerships and capacity building processes. Investments in Aboriginal and Islander-led solutions must be made so that the community capacity can be restored. Response must be informed and led by local Aboriginal communities. It is only by strengthening the capacity of families and communities to protect and nurture children that the problems will be resolved. Aboriginal ownership and control of land and access to communities are critical to success.

The current Federal Government approach has no evidence base, ignores numerous expert reports, including the Little Children are Sacred Report, and represents a return to the disastrous assimilation policies of the past. It will not work and, even worse, will cause further trauma by removing control, rights and responsibility away from Aboriginal and Islander people.

Taking land away from Aboriginal and Islander communities will not protect children. Measures that contravene the Racial Discrimination Act will not protect children. The new laws, in reality, threaten the future of Aboriginal and Islander children.

All we are asking for is an appropriately resourced, well-reasoned, evidence-based, culturally strengthening approach. The first step is to LISTENup!

For further information on the issues and groups involved in this campaign, see the evidence and further information