NAIDOC Week

Adjourned debate on motion of Hon. K.J. Maher:

That this council—

1. Acknowledges the SA NAIDOC Week committee;

2. Acknowledges the theme of NAIDOC Week 2018 'Because of Her, We Can!'; and

3. Pays tribute to the many South Australian Aboriginal women who have contributed so much to our state.

(Continued from 25 July 2018.)

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer) (16:49): I rise on behalf of Liberal members to support the motion and, in doing so, can I indicate that I speak on behalf of the minister, indeed in this case it is the Premier who has responsibility for Aboriginal affairs. I am indebted to the Premier's office for the notes that I will now place on the public record on behalf of the Premier and the government in relation to this particular motion.

NAIDOC Week is held across Australia each July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. NAIDOC Week is celebrated not only in Indigenous communities but by Australians from all walks of life. NAIDOC originally stood for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. NAIDOC 2018 will be held from 8 to 15 July. It's theme will be Because of Her, We Can! to honour Aboriginal women.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women continue to play active and significant roles at the community, local, state and national levels. They have fought and continue to fight for justice, equal rights, rights to country, law and justice, access to education, employment and to maintain and celebrate their culture, language, music and art. For at least 65,000 years, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have carried the Dreaming stories, songlines, languages and knowledge that have kept Aboriginal culture strong. They have marched, protested and spoken at demonstrations and national gatherings for the proper recognition of rights and calling for national reform and justice.

Aboriginal women were heavily involved in the campaign for the 1967 referendum. They did so while caring for their families, maintaining their homes and breaking down cultural and institutionalised barriers and gender stereotypes. They did so because they demanded a better life, greater opportunities and rights for their children, families and people. Their achievements, their voice and their unwavering passion have empowered past generations and paved the way for generations to come.

NAIDOC Week in South Australia will feature five main events: the NAIDOC church service, the NAIDOC SA Awards, the NAIDOC SA March and Family Fun Day and the NAIDOC SA Ball. I note that there are only four. The chair of the NAIDOC SA committee is Joyleen Thomas. A Kokatha woman, Joyleen has worked in the state and federal public sectors in a range of positions ranging from employment, education and training to the criminal justice system. Other members of the committee include Camille Dobson, an Eastern Arrernte woman born in Alice Springs, who has lived in Adelaide for the past 25 years. After graduating from the University of Adelaide with a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws, she has worked with the Legal Services Commission, the Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement and is currently employed by Santos.

Leata Clarke, born in Western Australia, graduated from the University of South Australia in 1997 with a Diploma in Aboriginal Community Administration. Since 2010, she has worked as the reconciliation officer for the Adelaide city council. Brenda Underwood is an Arabana woman with close family ties extending across South Australia and the Northern Territory. She has spent many years working in various roles in the disability sector.

The 2018 NAIDOC celebrations in South Australia will also honour Aunty Josie Agius, following her passing. Aunty Josie was patron of NAIDOC South Australia for many years. She worked tirelessly to assist and support the NAIDOC committee to promote the week to the wider community.

Other prominent South Australian Aboriginal women, amongst the many who could be listed, include Gladys Elphick, a strong advocate for Indigenous women and non-Indigenous women alike. She is remembered as the founding member of the Council of Aboriginal Women of South Australia, which worked for the rights of Indigenous women. In 1984, four years before her death at the age of 84, she was named South Australian Aboriginal of the Year. In 2003, the Aboriginal Women's Group advising the International Women's Day Committee, established the annual Gladys Elphick Award.

Lowitja O'Donoghue, born in 1932 at Indulkana, had a career in nursing and the Public Service, culminating in chairing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission between 1990 and 1996. In December 1992, she became the first Aboriginal Australian to address the United Nations General Assembly during the launch of the United Nations International Year of Indigenous Peoples. Rebecca Richards is the first Aboriginal Rhodes Scholar, an honour conferred in 2010 after her anthropological studies at the University of Adelaide.

As I said, I am indebted to the Premier's office for that detail and background in explaining why he and the government support the motion that has been moved by the Leader of the Opposition in this chamber. On behalf of government members, again, we acknowledge NAIDOC Week and we acknowledge the theme of NAIDOC Week, which was 'Because of her, we can!' In particular, on behalf of the Premier and government members, we pay tribute to the many South Australian Aboriginal women who have contributed so much to our great state.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. J.S.L. Dawkins.