Motions

Sansbury, Mr T.

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (15:55): I move:

That this council acknowledges the significant contribution Narungga/Kaurna Elder Tauto Sansbury has made at both a state and national level and notes, in particular, his contribution to the Aboriginal community through his advocacy and involvement in improving the justice system, child protection, housing and his contributions to ATSIC, treaty development and the broad labour movement.

I acknowledge that, as we move this motion and as we discuss these matters today, we are standing on Kaurna land. The land this parliament is built on, the land in this state—in fact this whole country—always has been, always will be, Aboriginal land. I want to acknowledge aunties, uncles, friends and particularly Tauto's family, who are here in parliament today.

Tauto was born at the Point Pearce Mission on the Yorke Peninsula, a very proud Narrunga/Kaurna man. He passed away last month after a battle with cancer. Tauto, I think, was best known as always speaking truth to power, always making a very powerful stand. As part of the oldest living culture on earth, but a culture that has been denied a real voice since the colonisation of this country, Tauto knew that you have to speak loud to be heard, you have to fight hard to get a seat at the table, and you have to do whatever it takes to initiate change and get better outcomes. That is exactly what Tauto Sansbury did: he spoke up, he took no prisoners, he ruffled feathers, but he did it for a greater purpose—he did it for his people. He did it hoping that the next generation of Aboriginal kids did not have to face what he had to go through.

He was a warrior for social justice for decades, and everyone knows how hard he worked to improve areas, as the motion says, like the justice system, health, housing, child protection, the list goes on. It is hard to think of a committee, a board or an advisory panel that had anything to do with Aboriginal affairs or the betterment of Aboriginal people's lives that Tauto had not been involved in in some capacity over the years. There are probably many more boards from which Tauto resigned with theatrical flourish, saying that they were not doing enough and moving quickly enough—probably as many as he was a part of.

To name just a few areas in which he was involved: he was a delegate to the 2017 National Constitutional Convention, where the Uluru Statement from the Heart was developed—a message he firmly supported and a statement that is one of the most important that we have seen in this nation's history. He worked as a consultant to the state's Social Inclusion Unit. He received a NAIDOC Lifetime Achievement Award at the national NAIDOC dinner in Adelaide a few years ago.

In 2003, he was awarded an Australian Centenary medal for his work in the criminal justice system. He was chairperson of the South Australian Aboriginal Coalition for Social Justice. He assisted the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. He sat on the South Australian Museum's Aboriginal committee, he was a member of the Museum's reparation policy group and he was a former chair and director of the SA Native Title Services. He was a leader, but more importantly he was a partner, a dad, a grandfather and, I am proud to say, a close friend of mine. After his passing, Tauto's partner, Grace, said:

He was one of a kind, he's irreplaceable, and I would love to hope that there are some young strong Aboriginal people waiting in the wings to take over the mantle from him.

I am pleased to say that there are. Indeed, some of the next generation of young Aboriginal leaders are here in the chamber today. Tauto's family released a statement, saying:

Tauto was a courageous leader and advocate who fought relentlessly and fearlessly for social justice for Aboriginal people in all areas of life.

He was a recognised leader and Elder. He spoke truth to power at times when others felt they were unable to [do so].

Tauto was a true voice for the voiceless.

Tauto's contribution is incalculable and his wisdom, knowledge, warmth, gentleness and humour will be missed by many at home and around Australia.

He was a great man and an irreplaceable warrior and advocate for social justice.

Tauto always believed that Aboriginal people should be part of the political process, so much so that he twice ran as a Labor candidate at state and federal elections. He was not content to be outside the tent; he wanted to be inside and make sure that change happened.

I was grateful, not long before he passed away, to spend time with Tauto at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, together with Labor leader Peter Malinauskas. We had quite a few laughs and reminisced a lot about things. One of the things that I was reminded of that day, talking to Tauto, was one of my most recent and fondest memories of dealing with him during the treaty negotiation process over the last couple of years.

Treaty discussions were held between three Aboriginal groups—Ngarrindjeri, Adnyamathanha and Narungga—in the lead-up to the 2018 state election. Of the three, the Narungga negotiations progressed to the fullest extent, and that was in no small part due to Tauto's leadership. Tauto knew when it was time to stand up to the government and demand more and get more, but he also knew when it was time to come back to the table that he had just walked away from in order to actually make change happen.

For a man who did not have formal schooling beyond year six, Tauto was a master of complex negotiations. The treaty negotiations, which had some of the most complex areas of policy and development that I have ever been involved in, showed the mastery that Tauto had, not just of Aboriginal Australia but also of the system that he had to work in.

There were times during the treaty negotiations when I was almost certain that everything would fall over, but the persistence and the way in which Tauto carried himself saw the Buthera Agreement signed—the first ever agreement in the treaty process in this nation's history. That is something that I am extraordinarily proud of: to have worked closely on that with Tauto and, I must say, others who are here today. We did not achieve a full treaty but we did negotiate something that is historic in this country. Many others have noted Tauto's remarkable contribution. The ALRM released a statement, saying:

Tauto's contribution to the Aboriginal communities of South Australia, seeking Justice without Prejudice, demonstrates his love and commitment to defending the rights of our people.

Former Speaker of the South Australian Parliament and former member for Giles, Lyn Breuer, was a close friend of Tauto's over the years. She sent a few different emails, recalling fond memories of Tauto. There is one that I reflected on at his funeral that I would like to read again, to put on the record in Hansard. Lyn Breuer says:

I would like to pass on my deepest sympathy to Grace and all the family of this good man, I was very sad to hear of his passing, and only ill health prevents me from being there today to celebrate and honour his life.

He was a great advocate and role model for all Aboriginal people and a true leader, with an amazing sense of humour and a kind, but determined manner that inspired all around him.

He understood politics and had political smarts, and so spent some time with the Labor party and was candidate for grey in the 2010 election.

I had the pleasure of travelling around with him during the campaign and had some of the funniest, entertaining and most enjoyable times in my political career.

Lyn Breuer remembers one trip where Tauto was in the back seat and complained that the seat was getting warmer and hotter. Lyn says:

We first ignored him, then told him to stop whinging, then thought he might be suffering from too long in the bush, till he burst out and said, 'My bum is burning, I've had enough.'

As it turned out there was a problem with the heating system, and it was burning through the seat.

Lyn ponders that maybe, because of this, he left the Labor fold, but I think Tauto went on to advocate for an Aboriginal party to pursue the aims of Aboriginal Australia.

Senator Patrick Dodson, known as the father of reconciliation in this country, sent a statement about Tauto. Senator Dodson says:

First Nations people, not just in South Australia, have lost a fine champion and a great advocate, and I extend my heartfelt sympathies to his family. His passing is a huge loss in the political landscape. His work towards the implementation of the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody and his commitment to social justice more generally, along with his role in negotiating the Buthera Agreement, are just part of Mr Sansbury's legacy. I salute his many achievements and mourn his passing.

The turnout at Tauto's funeral showed just how widely and strongly he was respected. I did have a couple of people comment that there might have been some there just to make sure the cranky old bugger was actually dead, but I do not think that is true. I think pretty much everyone was there to celebrate the life of a truly amazing individual—a truly amazing Aboriginal man, someone who has touched so many and helped so many. So many lives are better because Tauto spent time on this earth. Thank you, Uncle. Thank you for all that you have done. Rest in peace, my friend.

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS (16:05): I rise to pay my respects to the elder past of Tauto Sansbury and associate myself with the remarks of the mover, that this council acknowledges the significant contribution that Narungga/Kaurna elder Tauto Sansbury has made at both a state and national level and notes in particular his contribution to the Aboriginal community through his advocacy and involvement in improving the justice system, child protection and housing and his contributions to ATSIC, treaty development and the broad labour movement.

Tauto Sansbury was a proud South Australian Aboriginal man, born on Point Pearce mission with Kaurna, Wirangu and Narungga heritage. Tauto was a passionate and committed advocate for Aboriginal people. He worked and advocated for people experiencing disadvantage in all areas for over 30 years. He held numerous committee and board positions, as the Hon. Kyam Maher has noted, and he was also co-chair of the Indigenous Peoples Organisation, which advocates for Indigenous rights at the United Nations. So the motion should indeed reflect international impact.

Later, of course, Tauto ran Garridja, his own Aboriginal cultural consultancy. Tauto had a strong passion for law, for justice and for the rights of Aboriginal people, particularly in prisons, and he was heavily involved, as we know, in the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, working then with Elliott Johnston QC and spending over 10 years in leadership with the South Australian Aboriginal Justice Advocacy committee and the Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committee. His work in those roles would appropriately later be recognised in 2003 with an Australian Centenary Medal.

He was also a consultant to the Social Inclusion Unit under the Rann government and worked on the Breaking the Cycle report—important work. In 2015, Tauto won the Dr Yunupingu Award for Human Rights at the 2015 National Indigenous Human Rights Awards. In that same year, he received the National NAIDOC Lifetime Achievement Award. It was a powerful moment to be there, and I know that other members of this council were there to see it.

In that speech, as he accepted that NAIDOC award, he reflected on his work to organise the freedom summit, gathering Aboriginal leaders in Alice Springs in 2014. He spoke about the need for Aboriginal Australia to celebrate the awards and achievements but also to unite as one against many years of oppression and to say 'Enough is enough'. Recounting a letter on this subject, he said at the time:

I'm a 66-year-old man. I should be initiated. I should be singing and doing my dance for my children and my grandchildren and passing that tradition on. And I don't speak language. And this is the price that I paid for colonisation. This is the price that I paid because of cultural genocide. And this is the price that many Aboriginal Australians have paid. And we've got to fix that. I'm proud to hear Rosalie speak in language and I wished I could. I wished I can dance. And I wished I can sing, but I can't.

Tauto was deputy chair of the Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement when the organisation called for an independent investigation into the death of Wayne Fella Morrison while in custody at Yatala Labour Prison. Tauto told the press at the time, quite rightly and in great Tauto style:

We want the whole truth, nothing but the truth, that would be only appropriate for the family and the Aboriginal community.

He told NITV at the time:

The lack of understanding and the lack of relationship between Corrections, Police, Aboriginal organisations and communities are totally getting out of hand.

Tauto had an unwavering passion for the rights of First Nations people. He valued and followed the work of his ancestors, honouring the many who were killed while fighting for the freedoms of their community. He had a vision for an Indigenous parliamentary body and a parliamentary system that would represent the sovereignty of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. In that, he is not alone.

Having spent a lot of his childhood facing hardships in boys' homes, Tauto used those experiences to drive his own advocacy for people from all walks of life. He volunteered his time toward action and advocacy for the antipoverty movement along with child protection and suicide prevention. Activist groups, community groups, and not-for-profit organisations all remember the wisdom and passion that he brought to his decades of work.

Tauto's partner Grace Nelligan remembers him as 'a true warrior for his people', and he was a warrior for the land as well. Tauto worked with conservation groups and helped to form the No Dump Alliance in South Australia to speak out against the proposed nuclear waste dump. Tauto brought, again, his strong words to that movement and in his usual style put the question as to why other countries were not rushing for their own nuclear dump.

The tireless work that Tauto did behind the scenes also deserves to be commended. As someone who valued what he could learn from his ancestors and community, he did what he could to pass on his own knowledge to that community. If you were involved in any grassroots activist campaigns or actions for social justice assisting the community to be fairer, to be better, you are likely to have come across Tauto and definitely to have had some input from Tauto at some point in that journey. I value personally the times I worked alongside Tauto and learned from him, not just as an inspirational person but through his generosity and the strength he showed that shined through in everything he did.

I remember he and others organised a rally against proposed budget cuts under the Abbott government back in 2014. In my records, looking through them today, I have a thankyou letter from him. He wrote to me to thank me for my words of support at that event. He often took the time to show solidarity with everyone in the movements that were around him. He wrote how pleased he was at that time to see a crowd of people, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, standing together in the fight against unjust federal attacks on those most in need.

I value what I have learned from Tauto at those many events where he volunteered his time, including an SOS Blak Australia national day of action to oppose the closure of Aboriginal homelands back in 2015, and in particular I remember first encountering him at forums discussing suicide prevention and racism.

I commend this motion, I thank the mover for bringing it here, I acknowledge the many people in the gallery, which certainly reflects the impact that Tauto had, and I am proud to stand here today to honour a man who spent his life fighting for freedom, for fairness and for speaking truth to power. Rest in power, Uncle.

The Hon. M.C. PARNELL (16:13): I join my colleagues in supporting strongly this motion that recognises the life and works of Tauto Sansbury. I agree with everything the Leader of the Opposition and my colleague Tammy Franks said. When I was reflecting on how I could most respectfully engage in a motion like this I thought the best thing I could do would be to actually use Tauto's own words.

At the funeral, when we were all sitting there waiting for the service to start, along with the order of service and the little bookmark with Tauto's photo on it, there was an A4 sheet of paper which contained some of Tauto's thinkings on life, the universe and everything, but in particular politics. I will give not a spoiler alert but a warning that he has a go at all of us in politics. He says things that are not that comfortable to hear, as a member of parliament, because we all aspire to do better, but he made it fairly clear from his perspective that, as a political class, we are a disappointment.

So I thought the most respectful thing I could do was, rather than just a few hundred people at the funeral getting to read his two pages, I would put them on Hansard. The document was headed 'Time to get off the menu'. That does not make any sense until about halfway through when he explains what he means by that. Tauto says:

I've been a fighter for justice for Aboriginal people all my life, and while I have been fighting a big personal battle against blood cancer this past 12 months I have had more time than I would have liked to reflect on the current situation for Aboriginal people in Australia. And I don't like what I see and hear.

I was not surprised at the outcome of the last election. Shorten was not the flavour of the month and should not have led Labor. (Is Albanese any better?) But why worry about the election result? Neither major party has any real interest in Aboriginal people. It is not at the heart of their policies for the country, states or territories.

When you look at Facebook you read all the things that are wrong; everybody has an opinion but no one offers a solution. It's depressing as I think we are smarter than that. It's too easy to be an armchair activist, liking or not liking posts on your Facebook or Twitter feed.

I'm going to make a suggestion. You may agree or disagree and that's up to you, but we need to have this discussion so I encourage you to respond.

It's time to move forward! No Liberal/National coalition or Labor Party is going to do for us what we need to be done, or give us the recognition that is rightly ours, or a voice in Parliament, or truth in reconciliation as First Nations peoples and Traditional Owners.

I am not going to go through all of the statistical data that affect us as individuals, our community, our families and our future because we know it all. We live it and feel it.

The removal of our children, the catastrophic suicide rate, the homelessness and incarceration, the poor health outcomes and many more issues you know of that affect us every day of our lives. The stats are there in the public domain for all to see.

When I was told National Congress had closed its doors it was suggested to me that we need another Peak Body. I immediately responded with 'No we don't, what we need is one united Aboriginal political body, established in each state and territory.'

Of course there will be a lot of debate: 'Let's do it.' 'Can it be done?' 'No it can't be done.'

I wouldn't make a suggestion like this if I thought it couldn't.

It was once said to me many years ago that if you're not at the table you're the menu and this is what we've been since invasion—the menu.

To have a voice in the political arena we need to create an Aboriginal political party to run against the major parties—and to win seats. This is the only way that we can have a true voice at the table without having to sell ourselves out and bow down and toe some party line.

Some of you will say that there aren't enough Aboriginal people to vote our candidates in. To those of you I would say there are millions of non-Aboriginal Australians who are disillusioned with the chaos, self-interest and downright cruelty of mainstream Australian politics today. Millions who would get behind a positive First Nations political party that has the best interests of the people at heart.

Just take a look at the May 2019 Federal election. It was the lowest voter turnout on record since compulsory voting—up to 1.5 million people on the roll didn't vote—many of them young people. And out of those who did vote, there were 579,160 informal votes! That makes in total more than 2 million people. And then of course there are those who aren't even on the electoral roll, around 490,000.

And what about our fellow Australians tortured and demonised for being unemployed? Around 3 million Australians are job seekers and users of Centrelink, mercilessly vilified for being in need, unable to gain employment that only exists in the minds of our rich and privileged political classes. A total disgrace. Where are their voices?

Let's not forget our youth who are mocked by those in power for their concern about the environment, and the old, who are viewed as past their use-by date unless they are wealthy.

What does all this tell you?

We need to move forward—and when I say 'we' I mean not only Aboriginal Australia, but the marginalised, the excluded, the voiceless, the powerless, the poor and the downtrodden right across the country, the 'ordinary' Australian.

Unity is strength. We all pay lip service to this but that's about as far as it goes. Our government relies on 'divide and conquer' and it's working very well. Different groups of people are turning on each other rather than getting together to fight the common enemy of greed and lies and self-interest that dominates our political parties and country. This is just what they want, to divert people from the real issues.

The discussion needs to start. And then it needs to continue until it bears fruit. This may not be in my lifetime, but there is a wealth of talented and committed people who can make this vision a reality. If we don't, then the future for all our children and our children's children is pretty bleak.

So let's start talking.

It is signed, 'Tauto Sansbury, Narungga Elder'.

As I said, it is uncomfortable for those of us who think we do a good job but clearly, as my colleagues the Hon. Tammy Franks and the Hon. Kyam Maher have both said, speaking truth to power was one of Tauto's trademark characteristics.

Not all of us have the opportunity at the end of our life to put our thoughts in writing. It can happen in the case of illness, but it does not happen with plane crashes and things like that. He has taken the trouble to write down what he thought about politics, and I thought it would be a fitting tribute to Tauto to put his own words on the parliamentary record today. With that, I add my condolences to Grace and to Tauto's other extended family and friends. This is an important motion and we are farewelling a most important South Australian.

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS (16:21): I rise today to support the Hon. Kyam Maher's motion acknowledging the life and contribution of Narungga/Kaurna Elder Tauto Sansbury. I wish to join those on all sides of politics, and many more Australians, in extending my condolences to Tauto's family, friends and the wider Aboriginal community.

Tauto's dedication to his family and his people throughout his life is undeniable. He has shown active leadership over many years, always championing improvements for his communities. Tauto's community leadership started in the 1970s when he began as the first field officer for the Aboriginal Sobriety Group, an Indigenous corporation. Since then Tauto has remained a constant voice in South Australia through his leadership in communities and contributions on many committees.

Tauto was not motivated by this work for personal accolades but rather dedicated his working life to advocating for what he believed would have positive influence on his communities. His community was his motivation and propelled him in the face of often challenging circumstances. Despite the challenges, Tauto's accomplishments are wideranging, including winning the NAIDOC Lifetime Achievement Award.

I wish to recognise Tauto as someone who lived his life standing up for what he believed in and who strived to improve the lives of Indigenous Australians in our country. I wholeheartedly support the motion, and thank the Hon. Kyam Maher, the Hon. Mark Parnell and the Hon. Tammy Franks for their comments. I offer Tauto's family and friends my condolences.

The Hon. F. PANGALLO (16:22): I rise, on behalf of SA-Best, to support the motion of the Hon. Kyam Maher and also to extend our tributes regarding Tauto. I had the pleasure of meeting Tauto in my former life as a journalist. I think the last time was about three years ago at Yatala gaol; he happened to be there on one of his visits and we had a chat about his work.

The thing that impressed me the most about Tauto was that he was always a principled man who was not afraid to speak his mind, even if he was critical of the ALP—and he loved that party. The other thing that impressed me was his strong advocacy for Indigenous affairs, particularly for Aboriginal people caught up in the justice system. That advocacy was legendary and unwavering. I would say that many of his Aboriginal brothers and sisters would be very thankful that Tauto Sansbury was there in their corner.

His strength and wisdom, as well as his strong words, were evident in some of the most contentious issues that faced his community. I think the first time I bumped into Tauto Sansbury was during the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. Of course, many years later, during the controversy that engulfed the community with the gang of 49, Tauto's expertise was brought in by the government of the day, and I am sure that his assistance was greatly appreciated.

I was also impressed by Tauto's stoic, salt of the earth approach and his blunt language, as well as his logic. On the occasions I spoke with Tauto, he was a man of few words but the words he expressed really meant a lot and you really knew where they came from. Of course, those words were very genuine.

Tauto Sansbury will be missed. I am sure there are many he mentored who will be walking proudly along the path he created. I acknowledge the presence here today of Tauto's family and friends. SA-Best extends our condolences to them, and I strongly and warmly endorse the motion to the chamber.

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (16:26): I would like to thank those who contributed to this motion: the Hon. Mark Parnell and the Hon. Tammy Franks from the Greens, and the Hon. Terry Stephens on behalf of the Liberal Party. I know that Terry, having spent a lot of his life in Whyalla and also on the Aboriginal Lands Parliamentary Standing Committee, has a longstanding interest in Aboriginal affairs and bettering the lives of Aboriginal people, so I thank him for his contribution. I also thank the Hon. Frank Pangallo from SA-Best.

I think the words that were spoken here reflect the deep respect everyone has for Tauto. I remember being at his funeral a few weeks ago, looking around the room and seeing a lot of the very senior Narungga men—Peter Buckskin, Kandy, Doug and Irabinna—then other people from the heady days of ATSIC such as Elliott McNamara and Brian Butler. I was thinking, 'Where the bloody hell is Tauto? Oh, yes, that's why we are here today.'

He really was one of South Australia's great Aboriginal leaders, and I know so many will miss his leadership and the work that he did with so many people. That said, I commend the motion to the chamber and invite everyone who is here today and indeed everyone in this chamber for a cup of tea and a bickie in the Balcony Room afterwards.

Motion carried.