Andrew Forrest talks about his support of GenerationOne

Andrew Forrest, Executive Director of Fortescue Metals Group:

"Like many others, addressing the plight of Indigenous Australians has been a lifetime passion for me. When I grew up on a remote station, apart from my immediate family, I grew up with Aboriginal kids. My parents didn’t have the means to send me to a fancy school. Despite that, they and indeed many Indigenous parents had to send their children away for an education. That’s how, at age 9, I came to attend an Indigenous hostel in the Western Kimberley.

My mates, my mentors and my protectors were Indigenous. My virtual big brother was a fellow called Ian Blake. An Indigenous guy who, like the others were all smarter than me and played sport better than me. But I got opportunities courtesy of extended family. They didn’t. Despite his natural skills, Ian went from school to welfare. Its a long story, but an all too common one.

Sadly, now, many of my Indigenous mates have died. I am all too tired of attending funerals for people who’d had bright stars in their eyes as young men and women and who deserved all the opportunities and life that real, sustainable jobs provide.

That's why I got together with the PM to announce the plan to get 50,000 jobs for Indigenous Australians - and my thanks to the many employers who have agreed to provide 17,000 vacancies for Indigenous people over time. We have a long way to go and are continuing our work with the business community.

As I get around, I have become even more enthused about the fact that Australians are unified around a desire to ensure that this is the last generation to suffer Indigenous disparity. The Prime Minister and I witnessed this passion and good will at the recent NRL All Stars vs Indigenous All Stars game. People were willing the Indigenous All Stars on. I suspect we can get the same cheers for every real job scored. A cheer for every kid who is not attending school who turns up. A cheer for every young person who wasn’t earning or learning who now does so.

However, its not just about cheering or about business. Many people want to help and say they didn't know how. Along with the many employers who want to help directly, and those organisations and volunteers who do a tremendous job mentoring and getting kids to school, it will take all Australians to achieve this important goal to end Indigenous disadvantage in our lifetime. My business colleagues Kerry Stokes, James Packer and Lindsay Fox and I wanted to help even further by supporting Generation One. GenerationOne is the place for Australians to release their passion, in three main areas: education, jobs and job-ready training.

For all of my good fortune, I am just one person and I know there is so much passion and commitment out there. Please take this opportunity and let's work together."

About GenerationOne

Australians are unified around a desire to ensure that this is the last generation to suffer Indigenous disparity. GenerationOne is the place for Australians to release their passion, in three main areas: education, jobs and job-ready training.

GenerationOne is a real partnership for ALL Australians to participate in. It is non-partisan and will listen to any and all contributions that can help break the poverty traps, in our generation.

Consider this:

• Eight out of ten jobless Indigenous people are unable to work because of illiteracy, alcohol or other psychological problems
• In some rural areas, 70% of children do not regularly attend school
• The Indigenous unemployment rate is around three times higher than that of non-Indigenous people.

If we all join together, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, left and right, businesses and average Australians, we can change this. Be a part of the generation to finally end Indigenous disadvantage – GenerationOne.

Who is behind GenerationOne?

We want GenerationOne to become a mainstream, grass roots movement. It is not the campaign of any party, persuasion or person – it is YOUR campaign. It is financially supported by a number of business leaders such as Andrew and Nicola Forrest, James Packer, Kerry Stokes and Lindsay Fox and others who want to make a difference.

Almost all have been active in Indigenous employment already, but realise that real change only comes from ALL Australians getting involved.

GenerationOne is for all Australians. Indigenous Australians and non Indigenous Australians

Read more here and follow the movement: http://generationone.org.au/about