The first thing to say is that there is no such thing as the black race. Likewise, there is no such thing as the white race. These modern misappropriations of pseudo-science for cultural purposes are all too common. Shared identity is a fairly amorphous thing, which is used and discarded depending upon the situation. Right now in Australia, we have a referendum coming up to vote on a Voice to Parliament for Indigenous Australians. I have heard that there are between 400 and 600 different First Nations represented in Australia. Obviously, I am no expert on this, but I do see the need for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to be accorded the respect and recognition of a voice via the Constitution. Years of injustice and neglect of Indigenous Australians must be recognised.
Time For A Positive Change Via The Voice In Australia For First Nations
If the last couple of hundred years are anything to go by, then, it is time for a change. A change from white skinned sons and daughters of British colonials telling the progeny of the original inhabitants what to do and what is best for them.
Let us acknowledge the mistakes of our past and provide a seat at the table for those with direct and real experience of what it is like to be Indigenous Australians.
I am somewhat surprised at the opposition to the creation of a constitutional advisory body on matters pertaining to First Nations Australians. I wonder why these, largely, conservative politicians and their backroom buddies are so fearful of something of this nature. Some are saying that they want all Australians to be equal and no special recognition to be given to Indigenous Australians. Unfortunately, the reality is that we are not all equal, as things currently stand. Some of us come from privileged wealthy families and this kind of wealth is not taxed in Australia. There is no inheritance tax and capital gains tax on the family home or mansion if you live in it for 12 months or more.
The True Story Injustice & Neglect of Indigenous Australians
Rich Australians can pass on their wealth and advantage to their children, whilst poor people must continue to pay income tax and pass on their poverty to their offspring. First Nations Australians share of the nation’s wealth is not telling us a story of all Australians being equal. Injustice and neglect of Indigenous Australians has been the track record of the old way of doing things.
“The proportion of Indigenous adults with household income in the lowest quintile was higher in more remote areas, ranging from 26% in Major cities to 69% in Very remote areas, with a national average of 35%. The proportion of Indigenous adults with household income in the highest quintile ranged from 13% in Major cities to 3.0% in Very remote areas, with a national average of 9.9%.
In 2018–19, based on the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey, 40% (153,700) of Indigenous adults were living in households that had experienced days without the money for basic living expenses, such as for food, clothing and bills, in the previous 12 months. Additionally, 54% (164,170) of Indigenous Australians were living in households that reported they would not be able to raise $2,000 within a week for an emergency (an indicator of financial stress). This was more likely for households in remote areas (75%) than for those in non-remote areas (49%) “
Rich & Privileged People Telling Us We Are All Equal In Australia
A favourite conservative narrative is that we all have an equal opportunity in this country to achieve greatness and a good living. What they don’t ever emphasise is the fact that they went to a wealthy private school, came from a wealthy family, and hob knobbed in the right circles of power and influence. People like Tony Abbott and John Anderson had the opportunities to really make a difference to the lives of Indigenous Australians whilst they were in government, but did not do so. Abbott stripped half a billion dollars from programs designed to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders when he was Prime Minister. Conservative politicians played politics rather than make improving the lives of Indigenous Australians a priority. Peter Dutton and his mob are continuing to do the same right now. In many instances, the money spent on programs for First Nations people benefitted white bureaucrats. Reviews commissioned into these things saw hundreds of millions of dollars go to firms like PwC and the consultancy sector. Aboriginal Affairs, as it used to be called has been a shell game profiting a whole lot of white folk gathered around the edges over many generations.
Of the billions spent on ‘Closing the Gap’ how much actually made its way into the hands and lives of Indigenous Australians? And how much was siphoned off into the pockets of white businesses, bureaucrats, and consultants? I would like to see a report on that.
The Coalition Government & Consultants
The Coalition governments of Abbott, Turnbull, and Morrison spent tens of billions on consultants in their decade in power. They gutted the public service of some 15, 000 jobs. Jobs for the boys and vast sums of money going to the private sector. Revolving doors have seen these influential and favoured people pick out the choice plums and feather their nest to the tune of millions. Meanwhile, regional Indigenous Australia has been a wasteland of neglect and disfunction. Lives have been destroyed via hopelessness and its cousins alcoholism, violence, and drug addiction. It is illustrative to compare the lives of these two disparate groups and what governments have done for them over the journey. Prime Ministers when they come to power always mention in their speeches that they are going to govern for all Australians – talk about empty words and cheap platitudes.
It is time to say, fair’s fair, to give it back to pay our share:
“The time has come to say fair’s fair
To pay the rent, to pay our share
The time has come, a fact’s a fact
It belongs to them, let’s give it back
How can we dance when our earth is turning?
How do we sleep while our beds are burning?
How can we dance when our earth is turning?
How do we sleep while our beds are burning?
The time has come to say fair’s fair
To pay the rent now, to pay our share”
(Written by: Martin Rotsey, Peter Gifford, Robert Hirst, James Moginie, Peter Garrett)
This song was written or came out around 1987, that is some 36 years ago. Ask yourself if you would like to see a voice for positive change gain real recognition in the halls of power here in Australia. Only a YES vote will make this possible in the coming referendum on the vote for Constitutional change to recognise a Voice to Parliament for Indigenous Australians. Injustice and neglect of Indigenous Australians must end!
Robert Sudha Hamilton is the author of Money Matters; Navigating Credit, Debt, and Financial Freedom.
©HouseTherapy
