Support for members who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the lead up to the Referendum.

Some members who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander have already expressed some concerns about recent comments they have received about The Voice to Parliament and their identity generally.

As unionists, we have a responsibility to support our co-workers. Employers have a duty of care to minimise risk – including when it comes to psychological safety.

As CPSU members you can work together to support members throughout this process which at times may be stressful.

What you can do:

  1. If you have a concern about cultural load or safety for yourself or a colleague, it is important to let your employer know. All workplaces will have an incident and hazard reporting tool – some workplaces also have specialised support teams where you can also raise concerns.
  2. You can also contact your employers’ Employee Assistant Program (EAP) for individual assistance. While these programs are confidential, the theme is generally reported to management so they can identify if there are patterns of concern.
  3. Let your CPSU delegate or organiser know, and you can contact the CPSU Member Service Centre on 1300 137 636 for advice.
  4. There is also 13YARN - a free service that offers support. As they describe it: 13YARN [Thirteen YARN] is the first national crisis support line for mob who are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping. We offer a confidential one-on-one yarning opportunity with a Lifeline-trained Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter who can provide crisis support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 13YARN empowers our community with the opportunity to yarn without judgement and provide a culturally safe space to speak about their needs, worries or concerns. If you, or someone you know, are feeling worried or no good, we encourage you to connect with 13YARN on 13 92 76 (24 hours/7 days) and talk with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter. See their webpage for more detail.