ASFI focuses on elevating First Nations voices and lived experience into all areas of ASFI’s work to ensure these perspectives, knowledge and expertise are shaping the development of sustainable finance in Australia.
Elevating First Nations People, Perspectives and Outcomes into Finance
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First Nations and Finance
The finance sector must play an influential role in supporting First Nations self-determination. Financing and investment underpin all corporate and business activities, and the right financial products can unlock and accelerate an Indigenous economy.
The focus of ASFI’s work in this area is on system-level changes in the financial system, with an institutional rather than retail finance focus. During 2024, ASFI will continue to grow this area of work by improving disclosures of First Nations impacts and outcomes by corporates and financial institutions, elevating First Nations perspectives into sustainable finance, and through policy and regulator engagement to enable success.
ASFI has established a First Nations Reference Group to guide our work.
ASFI has established a First Nations Reference Group to guide our work in this area.
Our Partners in this Work
ASFI has established a First Nations Reference Group to guide our efforts for the four focus areas mentioned above and across our other work programs.
Our members are listed below. We value the lived experience, subject matter expertise and community and industry connections they all bring to the table:
Rebecca Blurton, First Nations Affairs (Co-Chair)
Brendan Moore, Noongar Boodja Trust (Co-Chair)
Craig North, Firesticks Alliance
Sarah Parriman, Kimberly Land Council
Raylene Belottie, Australian Financial Complaints Authority Board
Tyrone Bean, McKinsey
Gaala Watson, UQ
Rekeesha Fry, Rekeesha Fry Consulting
Brian Cahill, Moody’s
Danille Abbott, ASIC
Darren Hammond, IAG
Kate Gill-Herdman, Corrs Chambers Westgarth
Kia Dowell, Indigenous Business Australia
Adam Davids, First Nations Equity Partners
Romy Faulkner, ACSI
Brooke Scott, CBA
Anastasia Martinez, Allianz
Darren Chong, NAIF
Charis Martin-Ross, HSBC
Ben Ainsworth, Treasury
Ethan King, First Sentier
Will Leak, Mercer
Mary Watt, REST
Andrew Niven, QIC
Interested in partnering with us?
If your organisation is interested in how you can partner with us to make this work happen and unlock billions more in private capital to support First Nations outcomes in Australia, please get in touch.
Our First Nations and Finance Work
ASFI supports the Uluru Statement from the Heart
ASFI supports the Uluru Statement from the Heart and the establishment of an Indigenous Voice to Parliament as the first step of its implementation. ASFI has been established to realign Australia’s financial system so that it supports a more sustainable, resilient and inclusive Australia.
Recognition of the First Nations people of Australia, and support for better outcomes for First Nations Peoples is an important foundation to achieving that mission.
The Australian Sustainable Finance Roadmap has a strong focus on self-determination, and the right of Free Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) for First Nations Peoples in Australia. This provides the basis for our support. ASFI’s work to elevate First Nations Peoples perspectives and outcomes into all our work on sustainable finance over the last 2 years is a demonstration of our ongoing commitment to self-determination and FPIC as an organisation.
We will continue to work with partners, particularly First Nations organisations and people, to support self-determination, FPIC and reconciliation in Australia, including through the development and implementation of our Reconciliation Action Plan and our First Nations work program.
Unity in Diversity
"Unity in Diversity" stands as a testament to ASFI’s commitment to reconciliation and collaboration. It inspires and invites viewers to recognise the beauty and strength that emerge when we acknowledge and embrace our differences, fostering a future of inclusivity, respect, and harmony.
Through this artwork, we are reminded that by taking that first step together, we have the power to create a ripple effect that extends far beyond our immediate circle, inspiring others to join us on the journey towards a better future and further improve outcomes for First Nations people.
Artist: Tarni Jane Designs
