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House of Assembly - Fifty-Third Parliament, First Session (53-1)
2014-07-24 Daily Xml
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NAIDOC Week

Ms HILDYARD (Reynell) (15:43): As I spoke about in my inaugural speech in this place, I have been a very long-term proud and active supporter of and speaker for our Recognise movement. I am also always very proud that Australia's and South Australia's story is one of the richest and longest in human history, spanning tens of thousands of years, with the oldest living culture on our planet at its heart. It is an inspiring and, indeed, impressive history.

During the last couple of months, during both Reconciliation and NAIDOC weeks, I have had the opportunity to be part of several local community events in the south focused on reconciliation and recognition. At those events, I had great chats, as always, with local Aboriginal community leaders: Uncle Russell Milera, Auntie Georgina Williams, Auntie Leonie Brodie, Allan Sumner, David Copley, Theresa Francis and many others. As always, I was touched by their deep and enduring leadership in and for their communities. Over many years, I have also had the privilege of connecting with Aboriginal families in our southern community and visiting fantastic local Aboriginal organisations like Aboriginal Family Support Services and Neporendi.

On 11 July, I was part of the NAIDOC March on behalf of the state government. I was honoured to speak with everyone who gathered at the end of that march here on the steps of Parliament House. During NAIDOC week, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians stood together to remember and reflect on our past and to look forward to a future where Aboriginal people are recognised in our Australian Constitution (our founding document) and where their voices are always heard strongly in decisions affecting their communities.

At that NAIDOC march, we affirmed that it is more important than ever that we stand together against those who seek to tear apart the progress we have made in this regard. Being together on that day sent a strong message:

a message that said together we do not agree with Prime Minister Abbott who recently and outrageously asserted that Australia was unsettled prior to the arrival of the first fleet;

a message that said that together we oppose his decision to cut $15 million in funding to the National Congress of Australia's First Peoples; and

a message that said we will fight to stop him slashing almost $10 million from essential services in communities and homelands, basically attempting to turn out the lights on those communities.

The federal government's Municipal and Essential Services program ensured funding of $9.6 million in 2013-14. The program delivers essential and municipal services to all of South Australia's Aboriginal communities and homelands, their organisations and service providers—basic services that we all have a right to rely on. The funding also provides for the running, upkeep and replacement of minor infrastructure, contributes to community governance and generates much needed local employment opportunities.

These services are now at risk. The federal Liberal government has advised that they will cut this funding from June 2015. This cut will impact on more than 4,000 Aboriginal residents in approximately 60 South Australian communities, including in small homelands on the APY lands. It puts at risk the infrastructure as well as the delivery of services such as power, water, rubbish collection, roads and a whole range of other municipal services.

In total, Tony Abbott is ripping over half a billion dollars from Aboriginal communities and thereby attempting to rip the heart out of those communities. But that is something he will never be able to do, because the heart of those communities is big, strong and prepared to fight, and members on this side are prepared to fight alongside those communities. I know that many opposite share these views and I ask them to fight with and for those communities, too.

To date, Aboriginal people have not been involved in the decision-making process about these cuts, which are set to have a huge impact on their communities. We believe that Aboriginal people must be allowed to shape their own destiny through choice, not chance. This is fundamental to the concept of self-determination and to the spirit, heart and history of NAIDOC week.

So, as we think of the NAIDOC events many of us no doubt participated in in communities across our state two weeks ago, let us be proud that South Australia will become the first place anywhere in this country with legislation to recognise Aboriginal nations and their unique cultural identity. Let us reaffirm that we aspire to live in a country where we do not just acknowledge and respect the original culture but want everyone to wear it as a badge of honour and a symbol of our uniqueness in the world. Let us also commit to fighting together alongside our Aboriginal brothers and sisters against these cruel federal government cuts.

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