We are committed to fixing system-wide problems encountered by financially vulnerable people by:

• Meeting with banks, utilities, telcos, insurance companies and debt collectors to discuss their responses to people experiencing financial hardship.
   
• Collaborating with industry, regulators and government across a range of policy areas including credit laws, gambling, bankruptcy, consumer law and dispute resolution.
   
• Providing policy input to state and national regulators, such as Australian Securities and Investments Commission, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Centrelink and state and national Ombudsmen. Policy and legislation submissions.

Published 27 July 2023

In 2021, the Board of the SA & NT Financial Counselling Association (SAFCA) resolved to support the Uluru Statement from the Heart.  Since this time, SACFA has publicly shown its support for the Uluru Statement from the Heart through our email signatures, across social media platforms and in public forums. 

One component of the Uluru Statement calls for “the establishment of a First Nations Voice enshrined in the Constitution” - this is what we will vote on in the referendum that will be held later in the year.

SAFCA supports a Voice to Parliament.  A voice to Parliament will give Indigenous Australians a say over isues that affect them.  Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people know and understand the best way to deliver real and practical change in their communities.  When First Nations people have a say through a Voice, we hope we can finally start to close the gap that still exists between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Australians on many important areas such as life expectancy, educational outcomes, incarceration rates, employment and more.

SAFCA’s purpose, as set out in its constitution, includes references to improving the situation of people who are facing disadvantage.  We see through our work that many First Nations people experience significant disadvantage.  We want that to change.  We believe that the Voice has the potential to make a meaningful difference to the lives of First Nations people.

We encourage all Australians to engage with this with an open mind and to make an informed decision at the referendum.  

Find out more here.