Blatantly Partisan Party Review XIV (federal 2022): Indigenous–Aboriginal Party of Australia
Running where: NSW and QLD
Prior reviews: None, this is a new party
The Indigenous–Aboriginal Party of Australia (IAPA) is, as the name implies, a party run by and for Indigenous Australians. Membership is open to all; the leadership comes from multiple Indigenous nations. The homepage has a tagline that Indigenous issues are Australia’s issues, and their goal is specifically to have more Indigenous voices in parliament.
The party emerged in Wilcannia, NSW, from a deep sense of grievance that other parties paid lip service to Indigenous needs and aspirations but that nothing much ever seems to change. They emphasise that this has led to disengagement from politics, especially among youth, and so they aim for IAPA to provide them with a voice and rekindle public engagement.
All of these are noble, important goals.
The policies are exactly what you would expect, in particular a firm commitment to the Uluṟu Statement. Their other policies include saving sacred sites (especially from mining companies), greater use of traditional practices of caring for Country, no child removals, stopping Indigenous deaths in custody, reducing the alarmingly high Indigenous incarceration rates, and Indigenous control of education in Indigenous communities. Given the geographical origins, there is a profound concern with the health of Baaka (the Darling River), and they want to encourage Indigenous business with government committing to making 10% of its purchases from Indigenous businesses. I’m not sure how feasible that is in all types of procurement but it's a straightforward policy that opens discussion of how governments can contribute tangibly to Indigenous economic prosperity.
It's horrifying how straightforward and basic some of this is. They want an Indigenous suicide prevention hotline staffed by trained Indigenous volunteers. That really can’t be much to ask. And the housing policy is just depressing: all they want are habitable homes with secure tenure and in culturally appropriate locations. It’s the least a community deserves.
This is a party that simply wants an opportunity for their people to thrive.
My recommendation: Give the Indigenous–Aboriginal Party of Australia a good preference.
Website: https://www.indigenouspartyofaustralia.com/
