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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-09-13 Daily Xml
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RIGNEY, MR M.

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI (Hartley—Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers, Minister Assisting the Premier in Social Inclusion) (15:15): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: I seek to make a ministerial statement relating to the passing of Mr Matthew George Rigney, an Aboriginal elder of the Ngarrindjeri Lands. He was highly respected by many people throughout South Australia and devoted his life to progressing a greater understanding of culture on behalf of the Ngarrindjeri nation. The government was very saddened to learn of the passing of Mr Rigney, and we extend our sincere condolences to his family, extended family and the Aboriginal people of the Ngarrindjeri nation and surrounding areas of South Australia. I would like to convey the government's profound admiration for the significant contributions he has made to South Australia.

Matthew Rigney played an enormous role in Aboriginal affairs, locally and nationally, in the areas of Aboriginal community welfare, education, youth affairs, sport, employment and training, natural resource management and community development. Through his work as a cultural and political educator at Camp Coorong, Mr Rigney provided many people with the opportunity to meaningfully engage with Aboriginal culture.

Beyond these roles, Mr Rigney was a leader of the Ngarrindjeri nation, playing a crucial role in building governance structures such as the Ngarrindjeri Regional Authority and, in doing so, establishing partnerships with all levels of government. He was the chair of the Murray Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations, Chair of the Ngarrindjeri Native Title Management Committee, a member of the Tendi-Ngarrindjeri Governing Body and Chair of the Ngarrindjeri Regional Association. He was a very busy man.

Mr Rigney's long political career in Aboriginal affairs included sharing the Patpa Warra Yunti Regional Council of the Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Commission, and membership on the Ngarrindjeri Nation leadership group. This group meets directly with state and federal ministers to advocate for rights, justice, fairness and equality for Ngarrindjeri and Aboriginal people of other nations.

In recent years he has been a tireless advocate for Aboriginal rights to water and was a member of the Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council's Community Advisory Committee. Just recently, I and minister Caica met with Mr Rigney and, as always, was struck by his willingness to engage in meaningful dialogue with government, even on very difficult issues. Mr Rigney designed the now famous Ngarrindjeri flag, which was flown in 1999 on Kumarangk (Hindmarsh Island).

As a strong Ngarrindjeri man, he was interested in the interconnection between how we treat the earth and how we treat each other. I want to acknowledge that his passing is difficult for Ngarrindjeri and other Aboriginal people who looked to him for guidance and support. Mr Rigney has left an enormous legacy for all Australians and will be sadly missed. This was evidenced at his memorial service which was held on 26 August at Centennial Park which I, along with ministers Weatherill and Caica, were very honoured to attend. He will be sadly missed and long remembered and, on behalf of this government, I extend my sincere condolences to his family.

The SPEAKER (15:19): Thank you, minister. I also add my condolences to his family and community.

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