It seems Australia you have grown up – at last.
No longer the cultural backwater down under the boondocks of the civilised world that it once was in the twentieth century, Kim Beasley – (a former past Prime Ministerial hopeful in an era gone by and latterly ambassador to the USA 2010- 2016), says we have become the poster child to the world.
- The poster child for gun control
- The poster child for democracy
- The poster child for egalitarianism
Our location, once the end of the known world, has become of strategic importance in the geopolitics of the world slanted in a new direction.
He considered our location is militarily critical to countries in the west, not least because we are a multicultural, historically western country, positioned in Asia and next to the most populous Muslim country in the world: Indonesia.
But that also means we are prone to scrutiny and of recent months, just how we treat our indigenous folk.
Global citizens are watching how we treat our indigenous people, (and we don’t have an impressive track record). Once counted in censuses as “wildlife,” until the 1960s, Australian first nations people have an opportunity to participate in the parliamentary process as Australians consider constitutional reform and an indigenous ‘voice,’ to parliament.
The world is watching us consider the wishes of the people who first owned this land, the people who comprise the oldest living culture in the world. It seems that countries outside Australia, sometimes appreciate indigenous culture and art, more than many Australians.
Should the proposed indigenous “Voice,” to parliament not pass in an upcoming referendum I ask just how will the world perceive this poster child then?
Will our reputation be tarnished?
I thought I would ask the blogger’s brains trust that resides outside Australia:
How do you view Australia and Australians?
I would like to know your opinion. Please tell me in a comment whether you think Australia is:
- Free-thinking
- A cultural backwater
- Democratic
- Easy-going and inclusive
- Friendly
- Bogan
- Racist
- Lazy
- Other
- Where the bloody hell is Australia?
Something to Ponder About 
I think that the awareness about the rights of the first people has grown to such an extent that it should be acknowledged and the rights these people have should be given to them.
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Thanks Sadje. So you think that an indigenous voice should be enshrined in the constitution?
So they can offer an opinion on pieces of legislation?
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I think so!
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The indigenous people would concur with you! Except for some who say the current proposal does not go far enough! But we do have to start somewhere!
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Very true. There has to be a beginning. To acknowledge them at least
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Can you imagine how it feels to have been a nation of tribal folk and then be reduced to a non-citizen in terms of civil liberties.
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It’s unimaginable for us born in privilege. It’s time that people know the real reality of how the forest world people were treated
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There is not too much forest in the outback of Australia, but I understand the sentiment with which you wrote these words and agree. While it is impossible to imagine; we can still show empathy.
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I meant First World * my phone wrote something else.
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Oh now that makes sense! I was thinking you might have confused Australian Aboriginals with native Amazonian peoples. Lol.
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Haha! Nopes it’s my phone and how I write on it. Sorry for the confusion
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All good, Sadje!
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👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
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Hoping ‘The Voice’ passes. It’s not an end, but a start.
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100% Peggy
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Do you remember the Dr. Suess character, “pushmi- pullyu”? That is where I think we are at right now. We are a country divided and in the flux of change which only the fullness of time will tell if it is good, bad, or indifferent. I’m not sure of the “considered wildlife” claim as from memory that was not the case as they were not held under the Flora and Fauna Act of that time. More to the point they were not considered citizens and were without the rights and benefits citizens had and have. That changed in the referendum of 1967 where they were given the right to vote and accepted as citizens by a majority of Aussies, again from memory. I shall have to do some research to confirm that. Crucify me if you wish but that is the beauty of debate, it means you can validate or invalidate statements and claims without bias or predjudice but not so much in recent years as opposing popular opinion is now deemed to be hate speech. In the 1950’s anyone who had Aboriginals working for them had to feed, clothe, and pay them as per the government rules of that time as my dad found out when building in Birdsville and central QLD back then and needed workers. He also had to issue a ration of tobacco every week as per the rules. You can vilify the era but the reality is every era has its issues and this was one of the big issues hence the referendum back then to settle the debate on this issue. At the end of the day Aboriginals copped the rough end of the stick and have continued to do so under every government since regardless of how they phrase it, beat their chests, or virtue signal. As with most things … follow the money and not the flowery speeches.
This validates my argument that they were not considered wildlife from a 2018 ABC article when this claim was doubled down on to push a point … https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-03-20/fact-check-flora-and-fauna-1967-referendum/9550650#:~:text=The%20verdict,under%20federal%20or%20state%20law.
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Mick:
Thanks for your valued comment. A Pushme pullyou is a fantastic metaphor to describe the forces happening in our country at the moment, Mick. I hope it doesn’t become as divisive as is happening in other westernized areas.
Thanks for supplying the link that debunked the wildlife myth or perhaps should I say the flora and fauna act myth? Btw, I would never crucify you for having an opinion and I value information and evidential opinion! So thank you -that was important to note.
There is this emotive reaction and myth around the use of the word, “wildlife,” in terms of census data. I wonder if there is not an element of truth somewhere, or perhaps on both sides the argument? They certainly would not be enshrined in the fauna and flora act however, it is easy to imagine how indigenous peoples in very remote communities may not have always been included in census data as they were either unaware of the census, semi-nomadic, or lived in places difficult for authorities to access or be aware of their whereabouts, perhaps leading the the suggestion of empirical inclusion in wildlife in terms of the census ? Would the flora and fauna act and census (ABS) be handled by completely different departments at that time?
Nevertheless, from 1971 onwards deliberate efforts appear to have been made to include ALL citizens in remote communities in the census results, so they could construct appropriate policy and services. I note that the indigenous population has now grown to around 3% from the 1% in common use. Together with natural population growth, more people are now keen to claim and feel proud of their indigenous heritage, whereas in the 70s and 80s it may have been something to hide.
The description of the onus on pastoralists to feed clothe and pay Aboriginals is totally believable in that era where indigenous children were often removed and adopted by city families. One of my school friends had a little aboriginal boy they took in when he was very young and the little fellow always seems sad. I rarely saw him smile. People of that era often felt it to be a benevolent action, yet seen through the lens of the present day, it looks traumatic, fraught with social problems and a way to eradicate self-identity and culture. We can judge the past but what good does that do if we cannot improve the future?
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Interesting post Amanda. I think there are bogans and backwaters here but no more than the US or UK. There would be an uproar if The Voice is not passed, they can’t keep having “sorry” days and do nothing else.
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Glad to hear that you feel the Voice is progress, Alison. I do feel that it is one step in the right direction, but of course, like anything will have hiccups along the way and need modification. I dislike the saying, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Because often the system is broken!
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Thank you Amanda for letting us know about Australia.
My knowledge is limited to what we read via reputed newspapers.
Aboriginals should be given their due respect.
I am also surprised that there is racism and the sad part is denial of its existence.
I wish one day John Lennon’s song ‘ Imagine’ becomes a reality in this world.
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In a perfect world, Ptp, there would be no resentment, racism, or prejudice. I am doubtful that humanity could ever achieve that, as we all see things through our own individual lenses and the way experiences shape our perceptions.
However, that should not stop us from trying.
Don’t despair about Australia though. Whilst there is racism, the majority of Australians are kind and accepting. In the 50s and 60s, Italian and Greek immigrants were called names like wogs etc – but it has been decades since this kind of language has been used and in the city areas in particular, multicultural faces from everywhere are the norm. Rural areas take longer to accept newcomers of any ethnicity. Even then, there are exceptions, like the small rural town that adopted the refugee Tamil family and supported their claims for asylum. There is hope.
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Many thanks, Amanda.
Totally in agreement.
You’re correct. Perfectionism is unattainable.
Nothing can be kept a secret in this day and age of the internet and globalisation.
I certainly concur that the bulk of people are peaceful people.
Although I am aware of racism, my Australian friends and family have never complained about it.
It’s only that the news media picks out isolated incidents and exaggerates them.
That the deserving refugees are cared for makes me happy.
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Newsworthy stories give false impressions of frequency. We need to remember to frame one event as just that and resist interpreting media reports as universal or ubitquitous. Keeping that grounded awareness sounds like a good goal, don’t you think?
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I concur.
One bad apple is enough!
One should remember discretion is a better part of valour.
Thank you, Amanda.
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Thank you, PtP!
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You are welcome Amanda.
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Amanda, I view it very favorably, even when it was run by some questionable folks. I am glad it ran those blokes out of town. I just wish it was not so expensive to travel there.
I have a personal story about Australia. One of my mother’s cousins left the US for a walk about in Australia and loved it so much he stayed. He met young lady and they married and had two children. Ironically, their two children got jobs in America, so they were making those expensive flights often.
It goes further. They were getting on a plane to visit the kids and his mother, my great Aunt Nell who was 89. They were temporarily called off the plane to be told she had fallen in her house, hit her head and died. So, they now were going back for the funeral. His mother was one of the finest people I have ever met as she was the one who always came to the hospital and stopped by for visits.
Keith
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Thank you Keith for your validation of our last electoral choice. I was so relieved myself, as you guessed. Nice to know that your mother’s cousin was impressed with our country, but a shame that our country couldn’t provide opportunities to keep the children here. But that is our small economy, perhaps?
It is a shame that we are so far away and flights are so expensive. But we are FAR away – much to the lament of Australians when we have to face an 8-10 hour flight to just get to Singapore! We have to pay around 2 grand to just get out of our country. I suppose that east coast Americans have the same issue if they want to travel to Hawaii?
Even to travel from our east coast to Perth or the Pilbara on the west coast takes all day and it is cheaper to fly to Japan than to Perth!
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Thanks Amanda. Your point about the cost of any flight to go visit is illuminating. Being on the east coast, we can fly to the Caribbean quite economically in comparison. Keith
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USA is to the Caribbean what Australia is to Bali. Cheap to fly there and cheap to live there. Anything further north gets expensive. So just as well we have nice beaches to visit here in our own country. Other than New Zealand, there aren’t many options if we head South!
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I visited from the UK in 1998 ( 5 days in Sydney area and 5 days in the Cairns and rainforest area ) so a very limited experience of a beautiful, friendly country.
But, I was appalled at the racism I witnessed particularly in Cairns/ Rainforest area where there seemed to be complete separation of the Aborigine people from the rest! An aborigine delivering products to a restaurant where we were sitting, was not allowed to take a step over pavement outside to enter the restaurant. He had to wait for the owner to walk to him to collect it!
So unlike the inclusion of the Māori’s in New Zealand where we visited next.
This was a long time ago so I hope it’s changed for the better now.
For me, seeing this sort of racism through my own eyes rather than reading about it was a shock to the system! I can’t abide racism of any kind. Unfortunately, we continue to read of it and see it in our own country nowadays on an increasingly alarming scale. Sad days.
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Hi Margaret, Thanks so much for your comment and I value your opinion, particularly when it is based on evidence. Your story of the worker not being permitted over the restaurant threshold is appalling, even in 1998! I think the rural areas are more inclined to change attitudes at a slower pace than in the cities. However, in Cairns, where there is so much tourism, I would have expected it to be more culturally aware and inclusive. I have heard accounts from friends that Cairns has a high level of physical violence on the streets. Similar to the recent events in Alice Springs where alcohol and perhaps drugs are to blame. This is not new but should not dictate how we treat another human being. Respect for any another person goes a long way towards a more peaceful society.
When we hear of racism increasing in other places (and potentially here too), I feel sad and can only understand this rise is due to feelings of fear and threats to safety. There is racism in New Zealand too, although the Maori have fared better with citizen rights than the Aussie indigenous peoples. I was surprised at the subtle prejudice against the Maori, evident in dinner conversation, even among older members of my distant extended New Zealand family. Not nice to hear.
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I think Australian’s are free spirits, easy going and have a good sense of humor. Like so many people around the globe, I watched the video clips about Australian’s dressing up to roll out their garbage bins on bin day during the COVID lockdown. When we were all stuck at home and couldn’t go anywhere, they made us laugh and they enjoyed themselves. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kr4gBnXw5Jg
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Any excuse to get out the dinosaur dress up suit, hey? I have not seen that video – so how ironic that you should introduce me to it. Dressing up to take out the bins certainly didn’t happen here in my state, but we only had a month of strict Covid lockdown, whereas other southern states had much longer: Victoria had 110 days and NSW slightly less.
As for our sense of humour, we really do like to “take the mickey out of ourselves,” and laugh out of our ways of living. We find it hysterical how silly we can be. That is I think so Australian. We don’t take life too seriously, sometimes to our detriment. We have never experienced a civil war, and lucky for us, no one decided Australia was a good country to invade, although the Japanese gave it a short-lived try…. My comment to Richmond road about relates to how much our opinion of ourselves is attached to our history.
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I love Australia. The few people I’ve met from your country were great. Plus The Miss Fisher Mysteries, which I adore, are set in Melbourne.
In answer to your question: Free-thinking, Democratic, Easy-going and inclusive, Friendly
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You have given Australia a good report card, Ally and I do hope we can all live up to that every single day. We are not perfect, but by and large, I hope we are Free-thinking, Democratic, Easy-going and inclusive and friendly. The latter is one of the most frequent words used to describe our countrymen. We will talk to anyone, anywhere.
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Having grown up in Australia (suburb of Perth), may my opinion is not what you wanted. But I’ll give it anyway.
When I came to USA in 1962, I was shocked by the racism here. But that’s because Australia carefully hid its racism. The indigenous Australians weren’t in the big cities, but we heard news about them in the papers.
What always bothered me, was that Australia reported pretty good health statistics, but only because aboriginal health issues were excluded from the report.
Yes, the indigenous people of Australia deserve a voice.
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Hi Neil and many thanks for your opinion.
I am most definitely interested in your opinion, as well as what the “outside” world thinks. I can imagine 1962 in the USA would have been quite an eye-opening experience in terms of civil liberties.
Back in the 70s, I went to high school with an Aussie girl who had lived for a time in America, and she told me about segregated schools and bussing kids back and forth. It is the first time I became aware of the implications of having a different colour skin!
I then had an English teacher in 1976 who was from the deep south of America. She told the class how she used to rush past the homes of black Americans because they smelt bad! And we were studying To Kill a Mockingbird at the time! The class was horrified – one that she would say that, secondly that people had a different smell (which most of us didn’t believe or interpret in the way she intended), and thirdly, that a teacher could be so racist.
Perhaps the reaction would have been different had it been a country school? And different again from kids reactions and feelings in a dry community.
And there is a whole different debate about dry communities now, isn’t there?
I could well imagine that Aboriginal health was excluded from health reports and cynical me might think that was a small factor in not including Aboriginals in the census data. I do hope not!
Finally, I totally agree with you, on the voice! To deny them this opportunity, seems like another inhumane injustice.
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I’d go with no. 4, Amanda, but I don’t actually know any Australians personally. Only through the blog and hearsay.
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Hey Jo, Good to hear that you have found Aussies, online friendly and inclusive and by and large, we are! More so in cities than in country areas.
I am surprised you don’t personally know any Aussies at all, perhaps they haven’t found their way to Azores yet?
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Lots of Americans, Brits, French here. Oz is quite a long way off, and I imagine a small group of islands in the Atlantic wouldn’t be their first choice. Just wait- there’ll be a whole bunch of them move in down the street!
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I guess you are right, although I would say that Australian backpackers turn up in the most far flung destinations
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I have always thought that the national characteristic that Australians should take the most pride in Is apathy. That and the convict mentality. Traditionally we couldn’t be bothered getting excited enough about anything to create conflict and are highly suspicious of authority figures who expect us to behave otherwise.
But we do have a terrible history of racism of which we should be deeply ashamed. The Voice should be something as obvious to Australians as the need to learn to swim. It is only after that that we can start to swim with any sort of style that we can boast of as our own.
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I love your analogies. The Voice is essential basic and fundamental to human rights – and even more so to start the healing process of so many historical wrongs.
Australians being apathetic – yeh nah! Of course we are, but I hope that is leanig towards being more laid back than outright lazy. We could blame the heat, but that might be a cop-out. I am more inclined to think it could be a product of not just the convict mentality, but of all the free settlers and people that colonised this country as well as our indigenous brothers and sisters who had an undeniable sense of community and how it was crucial to survival in this harsh land.
We often hear the term, “Un-Australian,” and notwithstanding the history of racism and racist acts, most of us do have a strong concept of mateship and community that transcends skin colour or ethnicity. Hasn’t immigration enriched our country? A significant turning point, historically, was the introduction of the multicultural era and the reinforcement of this through media.
Perhaps mateship was formed in the struggle for survival from early colonial days. Rationing food and helping one’s neighbour survive had better outcomes than if you went it alone or were selfish.
I have an ancestor on one side of my family that was among the first 50 free settlers to this country, (whose daughter married a convict ). You can imagine my surprise and slight pride reading that the Governor at the time, described my ancestor as indolent and slothful. Perhaps he was conserving energy in our harsh climate? There is no doubt he participated in society and took a risk forging a life in a far-flung forbidding land, although perhaps he wasn’t as industrious as some? I do hope he was kind to the first nations folk. If he was, then he was a better person for it.
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I have always thought (or hoped) that ‘Un-Australian’ was a rather un-Australian term. I’m all for getting behind the cricket and football teams with unabashed bias, but beyond that I see nationalism (our US friends might call it patriotism, which somehow seems even worse) as a very dangerous commodity. Whenever I see someone waving a flag I am suspicious and a bit worried by what they might imagine it to represent.
The flag-wavers are frequently heard using phrases like, “I’m not a racist, but …..”
Indolent and slothful? A badge of honour to be sure. Something to aspire to!
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100% flag bearers are dubiously worrisome. It is fine to be proud of your country but not to the extent that the chest-beating is shoved in anyone’s face. In that sense, it reminds me of the schoolyard bully forcing another child to say that they (the bully) are the best. And the flag is a sore point for me. I would like to see the Union Jack removed or modified.
P.S. I usually use un-Australian as a tongue in cheek phrase although it seem to be a more modern and perhaps more eloquent colloquial term than “pull your head in.” Which I heard our Treasurer say a few months back. I laughed!
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Most people seem to use the term ‘un-Australian’ to describe something that would be abhorrent to any nationality, so what they really mean is ‘inhuman’, but by somehow making a personal claim on it they assume a position of moral superiority. Most activities described as un-Australian are equally un-American, un-Italian, un-Japanese, and so on. So the term un-Australian has the potential to have racist undertones in suggesting that other groups might be somehow less human
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Excellent point. I shall be on the lookout for covert racist comments when I hear that term now. Particularly from some media sources.
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A thoughtful post. I view Australia and its people favorably. It has exported some talented people.
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@coastal crone – many thanks for your validation of our countrymen. I suppose every country has talented people. Are you talking of the film industry or scientists when you say we have exported some talented people?
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I view Australia as fiercely independent, friendly, truly democratic and adventuresome. But I’m truly surprised to learn that Indigenous Australians were viewed as “wildlife” as recently as the 1960s. Really? And although most everything is poisonous (even some of the people) I still want to make every effort to visit Australia before I die.
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Hi Alejandro! Gosh Fiercely independent? I don’t know if would reach that standard too often. We are a bit casual for that. I would consider White Afrikaaners and Zulus in South Africa to be “fiercely” independent. I think we are much more independent-thinking, in recent times than earlier last century. Back then, governments and many citizens – particularly British ex-pats, had one foot in the British camp and one foot in Australia’s. World War I began the change towards a more self-determined nation. We took a while to grow up and cut the apron strings to Britain. My generation was not attached to British ideals at all. Yet here we are still part of the “commonwealth” with a far-flung meaningless King as head of state. Ridiculous. To me, the British monarchy has no place in modern Australia- only in history.
Regarding the indigenous being counted as wildlife, please see Mick’s comment above and my reply. The remote communities and perhaps nomadic nature of authentic hunter-gathering indigenous communities may have contributed to the difficulties in collecting census data, (AT THAT TIME). It sounds inhumane now and there was and perhaps still is some element of racial prejudice at work. The indigenous communities have been treated badly and continue to face many social financial, and welfare struggles, something that an indigenous “Voice,” to Parliament, may in some small way, redress.
I hope you do get to visit my country, and don’t stress about the poisonous creatures. You have been watching too much Steve Irwin docos! Lol.
The poisonous creatures are largely unseen by most tourists and the creatures are far more afraid of us than we are of them. Just don’t go traipsing about in long grass by the waterways without strong boots too often. Stick to the paths and patrolled beaches and you will be fine!
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From an American point of view, Australians are definitely an independent lot! I thought you had freed yourselves from British rule in 1986. I understand you have strong cultural ties to the U.K., as does the U.S. But thankfully, you’re no longer part of that commonwealth. The sun set on British colonialism decades ago, even if the monarchy hasn’t figured it out yet.
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1986? or do you mean 1988? The bicentenary? We still participate in the Commonwealth Games, we still pay for the Royals to visit our country, they still have their face on our money and they open parliament – although I am unsure if the Privy council can still override the High Court. It used to do so when I was at school. Totally agree that the monarchy is still trying to hold on to its purpose.
I just checked about the British Privy Council – and their power over our country did end in 1986! “Australian appeals were abolished by a gradual, and messy, legislative process that began in 1968 and ended with the Australia Acts 1986.” [source]
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I got a brief history lesson on Australia from the web site below. Another site had also mentioned Australian independence occurred in 1986.
https://blog.politics.ox.ac.uk/what-the-history-of-australian-independence-can-tells-us-about-britains-journey-ahead/
Regardless of the exact date, Australia needs to free itself completely from British rule! Like I stated earlier, the sun set on the British empire decades ago.
On a side note, I can actually tell the difference between British and Australian accents.
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I’ll look at the link.
I am glad you can tell the difference between Aussie and Brits via their accent. We are so very different. I can’t understand the confusion. Personally, I find many of the British accents annoying and stilted. I am not such a fan of Aussie accents either – they say ours is more neutral – I am unsure of that. I do love to hear English spoken with a continental accent! And of course the Scandi accents are my favourite. I could listen to the tones of soft old world country Danish dialect until the cows came home!
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Thanks so much for the link, Alejandro. It focus correctly on our legal passage of constitutional independence from Britain. From my perspective, it wasn’t reflective of general community sentiment that developed over the 20th century and what I know of modern history in my education. Perhaps the author was influenced by his conservative values? Whilst I would agree that the parental generation at the time of WWII did indeed feel tied to Britain due to the so called “tyranny of distance,” ie. we were so far away from the mother country, this fear of invasion was strong. Thus, many citizens felt we did need some protection, militarily speaking. Culturally, Britain was important given the large amounts of Brits living here and the number of first generation Australians with British ancestry. However, I feel there were also a tsunami of animosity towards Churchill and certain wartime decisions. This is important to note as it nurtured the rise of the Australian identity as a separate sovereign nation in its own right. The Japanese war machine was looming close to Darwin and attacks on the northern coast alarmed the population. At this time, the Australian government requested our soldiers who were fighting in Europe, be “permitted,” to return home to protect our own shores. The article references how initially we didn’t have control over our own forces. When Britain’s P.M. Churchill refused to allow them to return home as they were needed to save Britain, from Nazi Germany,it ignited a tsunami of nationalist sentiment here. If the mother country wouldn’t let us defend ourselves, we had better look elsewhere for friends and stand up for ourselves. This is when USA became more important to us as a economic and defence partner. A small population in a large continent couldn’t effectively defend the extensive and mostly unpopulated coastline that we have, ourselves. We were sitting ducks for the Japanese, should they mount a full assault. Compounding this sentiment, was when Britain abandoned Australia as a trading partner and entered the common market in Europe – 1972. That hurt Australia economically but also galvanised our determination to look more locally for trading partners. i.e. South East Asia – This helped us grow up and potentially triggered the act in 1986 to formalise this legally that your link referenced.
So to summarise, the sun did set on the British empire decades ago – much of it of their own doing, but also in the wash- a good thing for us as we finally grew up! So why I ask do we pay for the Royals to come visit? Beats me…. they should pay to visit us!
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Furthermore, this article may give you some more info – and something I didn’t know was that Churchill and Roosevelt wanted to focus on stopping the Japanese in Burma – at the expense of Australia. To imagine how this would have played out in a different way, is intriguing. General Wavell (btw I used to live in a suburb named after him!) – declared that Indonesia could not be held! The doomed Singapore strategy had already failed so it is not too much of a stretch of the imagination to think that Japan – resource poor and in desperate need of raw materials and minerals would have designs on Australia – and would we all be speaking Japanese now had things played out differently? This is a moot point. Some of my Danish friends dispute that Japan planned to invade Australia – But I think why else bomb the northern Australian city of Darwin and send submarines to Sydney harbour? See what you think after reading the article. I would be very interested to hear your opinion.
https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/curtin-brings-home-troops
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Hi Amanda, once again you’ve posted a thought provoking article. I am not familiar with what’s being put to vote in Australia & haven’t followed this enough to comment on wheter Australia is in catch-up or leading-edge mode.
Aboriginal rights have been are part of Canada’s constitution since 1982 and is aligned to principles of self government, land treaty recognition and reconciliation for past abuses. Although it’s been 40 years, there’re still changes & adjustments being made. If ‘voice’ is measured by volume, then I guess we’re at the stage of confidence for individuals to call-out discrimination & outrage for current or past wrongs.
More significant to me though, are the lower volume indications of success. Like a recent announcement of a $50M joint venture between a first nations community (Six Nations) and government to develop the largest battery storage facility (an eco-initiative to store off-grid energy) in Canada, on Six Nations land. Altho it was a big media announcement with the province’s premier and country deputy prime minister, these projects begin at a municipal level with a lot of planning, lobbying and proposals.
It’s good to see self-government paying off in terms of community benefit. It’s even better when the community benefit extends to the general population and country.
Everything begins somewhere. Acknowledging basic rights and giving people voice is a first step.
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The backstory Sandy: In 1967 a referendum was successful to include people of any race in our constitution and Indigenous people were only then counted in the census data. This was highest ‘Yes’ vote in referendums in Australian history. Almost every other referendum has voted No to change. Later in the 90s came the successful appeal for the granting of land rights to indigenous folk, in the landmark Mabo decision. Now there is a movement towards more constitutional recognition through an indigenous “Voice to Parliament,” that would be enshrined in the Constitution. It would enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to provide advice to the Parliament on policies and projects that impact their lives. Info suggests that a Voice to Parliament gives the Australian Government the opportunity to make policies with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, rather than for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. https://fromtheheart.com.au/what-is-a-voice-to-parliament/
Critics say that it will stymie legislation and give Aboriginals the veto on many decisions. No doubt the mining industry is very concerned about the implications for them.
Given your comment, we are perhaps in catch up mode, but that is not new for us, is it? Positioned where we are, progressive news filters takes a while to reach us. 😉
I love the sound of the Canadian eco-initiative and the fact that grass roots community is involved in the planning and decision making. I accect that decisions and new systems such as this take some time in the early phases but the process becomes fine-tuned with each successive generation, doesn’t it?
An Australian voice is the first step and our latest P.M. is listening – (as it was his initiative and the first thing on his agenda after being elected). A significant moment for all Australians if the referendum passes. Crossing my fingers here.
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I do not closely follow Australian politics but from what has leaked through, I would say that it seems like Australia is doing pretty well walking a fine line in today’s struggle for continued democracy in a world where autocrats are gaining some traction. As an American (who lives in Norway and am not infected with “American exceptionalism” and never was), I am impressed with how Australia has responded to gun violence and it stands in great contrast with the shameful inaction on the part of enough politicians in the US when it comes to keeping the populous safe by moving forward on gun safety laws. That is good. I have to say that the media conglomerate that was spawned by Rupert Murdoch is of concern to me as outlets around the world have (in my view negatively) influenced the tone and quality of the news so there is that. I also have vaguely heard that, like many places that were colonized by white Europeans, indigenous peoples have been very poorly treated in a shameful past but I also heard that, unlike many other places, the Australian government is moving forward with reparations. As I said, I live in Norway but, as an American, I closely follow US politics and European politics, somewhat. I do not hear too much out of Australia unless it is something major and, then again, I am consuming news from places like The Guardian, The New York Times, NPR, Pod Save the World, etc, and not from anyone I know who is living there so what I know has been through a bit of the spin machine.
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Follow 4 follow 🎆
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I tend to get to know a blogger first
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Giving aboriginals an advisory voice on matters
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Giving aboriginal people an advisory voice which is not legally binding gives them much fewer rights than Indigenous Peoples in Canada. Indigenous rights and treaty land rights for Indigenous Peoples are protected by Canada’s constitution. That doesn’t mean there aren’t long drawn out legal battles in defining those rights and the rights of Indigenous people to self-government. The territory of Nunavit is the best example of both treaty land rights being decided and Indigenous self-government.
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Indeed. This is the first but not last step towards a more inclusive constitution. There are people who are against it because they complain it doesn’t go far enough. It isn’t perfect but better to start somewhere than nowhere at all, don’t you think?
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I speak as a settler. Each of us need to work within the context we find ourselves in.
In Canada, the Indigenous Peoples had better protection while under British rule. When Canada repatriated the constitution, removing our colony status, the Indigenous Peoples were in a position to ensure constitutional protection of their rights.
Your point is well taken. Putting the matter to a referendum makes the decision a grassroots type of a decision as opposed to a top down legislated decision.
It is interesting to note that Australia, New Zealand, United States and Canada were the last to sign onto UNDRIP (United Nations Drclaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples). Canada being the most reluctant with initially adopting only part of the declaration, despite the Canadian constitution being in line with UNDRIP.
As Murray Sinclair, the chairperson of the Truth and Reconciliation Commision (TRC) stated, in outlining the 94 Calls to Action, reconciliation will take time. It will not be completed in my lifetime or my children or grandchildren lifetime.
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I agree, Jasper. Our country’s situation is different and yet the same. Interesting that Canada resisted more than other countries. What year was that? It might put into context the Australian decision for me?
Totally agree with Murray Sinclair – it is still a w.i.p.
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UNDRIP was passed at the UN in 2007 with 143 countries giving full support. Some countries abstained and 4 countries voted against. About 10 years later Canada agreed with certain reservations. Not till June 21, 2021 did Canada give it full Royal Assent. Sadly 14 years of foot dragging.
As an Annishinabee friend of mine said, progress depends on white folk, those who live with privilege to push for change.
Interestingly, Murray Sinclair challenged his people to prove themselves worthy of being respect for who they are.
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Do you think Murray Sinclair was trying to galvanise the apathy that evolves when people have been suppressed for so long?
Which countries besides Canada voted against?
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What a delightful and thoughtful piece you have written. As an American I certainly appreciate all you have described. Growth is sometimes very painful. Our first nation people are showing us the way but we have a long way to go
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Australia has come a long way since the twentieth century, transforming from a cultural backwater to a major player in the world stage. This can be attributed to the efforts of people like Kim Beasley, who served as Australia’s ambassador in the United States from 2010 to 2016. His diplomatic efforts helped to cement Australia’s place in the global economy and political landscape.
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He may not have been Prime Minister but he made a very good ambassador.
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It’s maybe
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Amanda, an enlightening post about Australia and its position in the world and more importantly its policies for all its citizens. The little I know I feel it is only right that their voices are heard and action follows. I know so many wonderful people here from your continent and all seem willing for progress in rights. However, a few visitors I’ve met the U.K. a number of years ago could not even hear how condescending they were in their attitude to the native Australians. At one comment of ‘but we give them clothes which they like’ I just had to walk away before I started screaming at them! One can only move forward and it’s good your country is doing just that!
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Annika, so that I don’t misunderstand your comment. Are you saying that you met Australian tourists to the UK that say we give them clothes – ?? When would that have been?
It sounds positively colonial, when in the 19th century they had “Blanket day,” when the indigenous folk were “allowed,” into the city to accept a complimentary blanket to keep them warm in the winter! Shocking to us now, but at the time most likely considered philanthropic.
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Yes, unfortunately this was only recently, about ten years ago and via some friends’ Australian friends who were over for a visit. It’s interesting to read about ‘blanket day’ . Luckily times have changed. In programs that we have been watching recently quite a few feature the horrors of the work houses here in the U.K. – horrific institutions for the dire poor. It was the view of the government at the time it was the fault of the poor for their own poverty and they should suffer as much possible for their predicament. Sorry … I diverged from your post but it beggars belief the decisions of those with power across the continents.
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No problem diverging Annika as it makes for a curious topic. The indigenous folk do receive a lot more than clothes – the friends of yours may not have been aware, but there are many incentives to try to improve the indigenous people. It is complicated though as some rely on the handout mentality. They have extra benefits for welfare, housing and tertiary funding. They can access low interest business loans and community funding. Culturally, it is difficult with lots of social dysfunction, domestic violence and substance abuse as there is still prejudice and a lack of employment. No matter what part of history we examine, the common thread is a lack of understanding of others’ perspectives. We assume something about other people that often is simply a generalisation. You would think the information age would dispel such misunderstanding and bring us together, but it seems we are as divided as every in many ways.
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I think easy going and friendly. I love the people of Australia (majority at least).
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It is good to know that we still hold that reputation!
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Oh absolutely!
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