UCA, UAICC and UnitingCare Australia welcome First Nations Economic Empowerment Alliance

Uniting Church, Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress and UnitingCare Australia welcome First Nations Economic Empowerment Alliance as a step toward shared prosperity

MEDIA RELEASE

The Uniting Church in Australia, the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress and UnitingCare Australia have welcomed the Australian Government’s announcement of the First Nations Economic Empowerment Alliance, an initiative aimed at strengthening shared decision-making and economic reform opportunity between the Commonwealth and First Nations people.

This commitment—announced by Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, at the 2025 Garma Festival—marks a positive step toward addressing the entrenched wealth and social inequality that continues to impact First Nations communities, aligning with Closing the Gap targets.

The Uniting Church’s commitment to walking together with First Peoples is grounded in the 1994 Covenant with the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC)—a relationship built on truth-telling, justice and self-determination. This covenant calls the Church and its agencies to stand in solidarity with First Peoples in their pursuit of justice and healing.

“The Covenant reminds us that reconciliation is not symbolic—it must be lived through action,” said Rev Charissa Suli, President of the Uniting Church in Australia. “This new Alliance announced by the Government reflects that spirit by centring First Nations voices in decisions that shape their economic futures.”

The Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress has also welcomed the announcement, emphasising the importance of First Nations-led reform.

“True economic empowerment begins with respect for First Nations leadership, knowledge and connection to Country,” said Rev Ken Sumner, Interim Co-Chair of the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress. “This Alliance is a step toward justice—not only economic, but cultural and spiritual—where First Peoples shape the systems that impact our lives and communities.”

The announcement's timing also coincides with the Government's focus on broader economic reform and productivity considerations. UnitingCare Australia has advocated for a human-centred approach to productivity and economic reform—one that prioritises wellbeing, equity and inclusion.

“We commend the Government for recognising that economic justice for First Peoples is not only a moral imperative, but a national opportunity, and essential to Australia’s prosperity” said Claerwen Little, National Director of UnitingCare Australia.

“We believe the economy should work for people, not the other way around. The First Nations Economic Empowerment Alliance is a powerful example of how economic reform can be both inclusive and transformative, investing in what truly matters: education, health, housing, care and community-led development”, said Ms Little.

ENDS

Media contacts:

Fay Mound, UnitingCare Australia | 0467 093 754
Bethany Broadstock, Uniting Church in Australia | 0474 058 245