Presentation to Parliamentary inquiry on improving corporate engagement with First Nations consumers
Consumer Action’s Aboriginal Policy Officer Samantha Rudolph, and Director of Policy and Campaigns Katherine Temple spoke today at a Parliamentary Inquiry looking into ways of improving corporate engagement with First Nations consumers.
Samantha gave an opening statement where she talked about the work Consumer Action does with community and the close and beneficial relationship we have with the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS).
Both Samantha and Katherine referenced our report Consumer Issues in Victorian Aboriginal Communities published in June and results from a recent survey of First Nations people revealing the ongoing economic impacts of the COVID pandemic
“We think there is room for significant improvement in the ways the corporate sector engages with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” Samantha said.
“Our report made 5 recommendations for change, which included ensuring all parties (including corporations) embed cultural competency and safety into their practices, and work in partnership to ensure Victorian Aboriginal communities have their voices heard. We also recommended that Government consult with community on strengthening regulation of essential services like energy, telecommunications and lending to help address the consumer, credit and debt issues impacting community”.
Read our opening statement to the inquiry.
