The Ascott Limited Australia is publicly declaring its support for a First Nations Voice to Parliament, with Managing Director David Mansfield saying, “we want to be on the right side of history”.
The Voice, which will be proposed in a referendum later this year, would provide permanent representation and recognition for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the constitution.
In a recent post on LinkedIn, Ascott said it was supporting First Nations people in having a say in decisions about their communities.
“We know that the decisions we’re making today will shape our future,” the post read.
“Our hope is for a future with better opportunities and better outcomes for all our First Peoples.”
Speaking exclusively to HM, Mansfield said it’s about embracing Australia for all its people.
“There is a bit of division in our country at the moment and it’s a distraction from what our priorities are,” Mansfield told HM.
“We feel it’s important that we demonstrate some leadership and some conviction on it.”
The Ascott Australia MD said the business felt it was important to speak up on the topic and hold itself accountable to its brand values and beliefs of authenticity and inclusion.
“We had an issue with the fact that if we didn’t go out and openly support it as a company, how can we get up on stage and do the Welcome to Country support and acknowledgement?” Mansfield said.
“We feel as a democracy, it’s important. We don’t want to be hypocrites. We want to be proud of what we do. We want to be on the right side of history.”
With Citadines, Quest and Oakwood among the brands under its remit, Ascott has properties in locations across the country including in regional and remote areas with Indigenous communities, such as Alice Springs.
Mansfield admits there is not enough Indigenous representation within the business and said Ascott is striving to improve resourcing, recruitment and training of First Nations people.
“It’s an opportunity we’re constantly working on,” he said. “But it’s far from where it needs to be.
“We’ve got to provide a position where we’re clear on what we stand for what we advocate for and how we embrace change to provide opportunities for First Nations to either be employed or be in business for themselves under our model.”
Mansfield is also confident of broader industry change under the new industry body Accommodation Australia – an amalgamation of Tourism Accommodation Australia and Accommodation Association – which is set to launch on July 1.
“We’ve reshaped new values for that organisation,” he said, pointing to commitments to authenticity and inclusivity, which were raised as key values by incoming CEO Michael Johnson at AHICE last month.
“We’re going to honour our commitments, deliver on what we say and act with sincerity,” Mansfield added.
While acknowledging that the vote could go either way, the Ascott Australia MD said the business will continue its efforts to make tangible change.
“We live in a democracy so when it comes to The Voice, everyone will make their own decision. The vote may go for or against, we understand that – but that won’t stop us,” he said.
“We know we are learning. We know we are changing. We know we need to evolve. We’re not perfect – there’s always going to be room for error.
“But I’d rather be apologising for the error than apologising for not really doing anything.”