PETITION CALLING FOR AN                   INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF                      LEADERSHIP, GOVERNANCE,                 AND COMMUNITY SAFETY

 

To the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, and Relevant Oversight Bodies,

We, the undersigned Aboriginal community members, Elders, families, and supporters, respectfully call for an immediate and independent review of the continued employment of a manager within this Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation who is responsible for supervising staff who advocate for vulnerable Aboriginal women, men, girls, boys, young people, families, and community members.

An Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation exists to provide culturally safe, ethical, accountable, and trusted services to our people. The community places its confidence in leaders who demonstrate integrity, professionalism, transparency, respect, and accountability. Those entrusted with managing staff who support vulnerable people must be held to the highest standards of conduct, as their leadership directly influences the safety, wellbeing, and trust of the community they serve.

Our concerns arise from information and documented matters that have been brought to the attention of the organisation. We understand that this individual was previously removed from one leadership position following serious concerns. The subsequent decision to appoint the individual to another management role has raised significant concern among community members and has, in our view, further diminished confidence in the organisation's leadership and governance.

Of particular concern is the message this sends to Aboriginal women, men, girls, boys, families, staff, and community members who rely on this organisation for culturally safe support. Accountability and transparency must apply equally regardless of the age or gender of the person affected. Every Aboriginal person deserves to know that concerns involving vulnerable members of our community—including young Aboriginal men and boys—are taken seriously, addressed fairly, and managed independently.

Many members of our community no longer have confidence that complaints involving senior employees are investigated independently, consistently, or transparently. Community trust is fundamental to the success of an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, and once that trust is damaged, meaningful action is required to restore it.

We believe leadership within an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation should always reflect the values of:

Cultural safety.

Integrity and accountability.

Respect for Aboriginal people and community.

Protection of vulnerable women, men, girls, boys, young people, and families.

Ethical and professional leadership.

Transparency and fairness in decision-making.

Respect for the voices of staff, clients, and community members who raise concerns in good faith.

Accordingly, we respectfully request:

An immediate independent investigation into the handling of this matter by a suitably qualified external investigator.

A review of the decision to transfer this individual into another management position.

Random drug screening for all staff.

All non indigenous employers to undergo cultural awareness training.

A review of whether the organisation's Code of Conduct, governance framework, employment policies, and cultural safety obligations were properly followed.

An assessment of whether this individual's continued employment in a leadership role is consistent with the organisation's values, responsibilities, and obligations to the Aboriginal community.

Greater transparency regarding how complaints involving senior staff are investigated, managed, and resolved.

Stronger protections for staff, clients, and community members who raise concerns in good faith.

A public commitment from the Board to uphold accountability, cultural safety, ethical leadership, and good governance.

A commitment that all vulnerable Aboriginal people—including women, men, girls, boys, young people, Elders, and families—will receive equal protection, respect, and advocacy regardless of gender or circumstance.

This petition is not intended to attack any individual personally. Rather, it is a respectful call for accountability, transparency, procedural fairness, and responsible governance within an organisation entrusted with supporting Aboriginal people during some of the most vulnerable times in their lives.

We believe our community deserves confidence that those in leadership positions demonstrate the highest standards of ethical conduct and that serious concerns are addressed independently, fairly, and transparently. Rebuilding community trust requires openness, accountability, and a demonstrated commitment to the values upon which Aboriginal Community Controlled organisations were founded.

We respectfully ask the Board to act decisively to restore community confidence and ensure that the wellbeing, safety, dignity, and cultural security of Aboriginal women, men, girls, boys, young people, Elders, families, staff, and all vulnerable members of our community remain the organisations highest priority.