This being NAIDOC (National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee) Week in Australia, I have been paying particular attention to the carefully crafted gift our indigenous people presented to us a few years ago... The Uluru Statement From the Heart.
https://fromtheheart.com.au/uluru-statement/the-statement/
It was rudely and ignorantly dismissed by our then Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, who decided that the call for a Voice to Parliament was impossible. I was embarrassed by this... to not meet and talk with the authors of the Statement, to just not want to hear, as if he had more important stuff to do... it dismayed me.
“We seek constitutional reforms to empower our people and take a rightful place in our own country. When we have power over our destiny our children will flourish. They will walk in two worlds and their culture will be a gift to their country.
“We call for the establishment of a First Nations Voice enshrined in the Constitution. Makarrata is the culmination of our agenda: the coming together after a struggle. It captures our aspirations for a fair and truthful relationship with the people of Australia and a better future for our children based on justice and self-determination.”
How could we ignore the care that went into this, the consideration and sensitivity of this request, to meet, and talk, and join together? And Malcolm Turnbull dismissed it out of hand, “You’re calling for a third chamber of government,” was his response. If you don’t meet and talk with people, how do you know what they are asking for?
