Reflections from the Prime Minister’s Closing the Gap Statement
Listening, Learning and Standing Together
Last week, Head Start Homes’ Executive Director – First Nations Collaboration, Pam Jackson, and Founder and Managing Director Stephen Woodlands travelled to Canberra to witness the Prime Minister, The Hon Anthony Albanese MP, deliver the annual Closing the Gap statement - a moment centred on truth telling, responsibility and national healing.
From the gallery, surrounded by Elders, community leaders and Stolen Generations survivors, the significance of the day was unmistakable. The Prime Minister shared that:
“A secure roof over your head is also a stable foundation for family, school, study and work”
We extend our gratitude to The Hon. Milton Dick MP, Speaker of the House, for making it possible for Pam and Stephen to be present for this important moment.
For Pam, this was an unforgettable experience and her first visit to Parliament House, and for Stephen, it was an opportunity to walk alongside Pam, listen deeply and reflect on the strength, leadership and lived experiences.
A powerful part of the visit came not just from the Prime Minister’s words, but from the time spent listening and yarning with Pam. Throughout the day, Stephen had the privilege of learning from Pam’s wisdom about how deeply language shapes people’s experiences of systems.
Pam shared how words like “failure” can carry profound shame across many First Nations communities - and how that shame can prevent families from seeking support, even when they deserve it. This reflection strongly echoed the Prime Minister’s own acknowledgement that First Nations communities are not “failing” - systems have failed them.
That distinction matters. It guides how we do our work.
Our role is to walk alongside families with dignity, cultural safety and encouragement.
At Head Start Homes, we celebrate:
• Progress, not perfection
• Strengths, not deficits
• Self determination, not comparison
• Every step forward, not just the final milestone
Because financial empowerment and home ownership readiness are journeys. Each step - building confidence, gaining clarity, learning new skills - is a success worth recognising.
People Before Property
The Prime Minister’s message reaffirmed what we witness every day: real change happens when people and communities are supported, empowered and trusted.
Housing is far more than a structure. It represents:
• Safety
• Pride
• Belonging
• Stability
• Intergenerational hope
As we continue walking respectfully alongside First Nations families across Australia, we remain committed to always putting people before property, and to ensuring every pathway is grounded in culture, dignity and truth.
You can check out some photos from the day below and the Prime Minister’s full speech here:
www.pm.gov.au/media/closing-gap
