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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, First Session (54-1)
2018-06-19 Daily Xml
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Narungga Electorate

Mr ELLIS (Narungga) (15:42): I rise today to speak about relations between Indigenous Australians and white Australians. I had hoped to speak on this topic during Reconciliation Week; however, justifiably, the speaking schedule filled up quickly and I have had to bide my time until now.

I congratulate organisers and promoters on their work that week, which was titled, 'Don't keep history a mystery'. It is a wonderful, vitally important week to help foster improved relationships. It is vitally important because we cannot forget the history that necessitated a week dedicated toward reconciliation, and we should never, ever forget the acts committed against the people native to this land.

I am very fortunate to represent an electorate that is named after the Aboriginal people who inhabited Yorke Peninsula long before anyone else arrived. The Narungga people live on today and are particularly populous in Point Pearce on the western side of the peninsula. They live there and enjoy a close connection to the land, particular to Wardang Island, which is located in the peaceful waters of Spencer Gulf.

They have the benefit of possessing a relatively large parcel of prosperous agricultural land in trust, which is farmed by an area farmer for the benefit of the community. Indeed, the Labor candidate who stood against me at the most recent election is a Narungga man. Doug Milera is an impressive bloke for whom I have a great deal of respect and who was a worthy candidate no doubt.

It is a beautiful community full of wonderful people, and I have been fortunate to visit and have had a number of the community visit my office a number of times since the election. Unfortunately, it is a divided community at this time. The former government's desire to sign a treaty between Aboriginal people has caused a rift between people in the town. There are those who think that the treaty is a good idea and there are those who think that the treaty will be to the detriment of their people. There are those who think that it is just a further way to ostracise the Aboriginal people.

It is the latter group which is under-represented and which has not been heard vocally, and it is those I am standing up for today. These people have not been heard yet, and certainly not consulted by any ordinary definition of the word but they want to have their say. I can hardly imagine a more divisive thing than signing a treaty between people of equal stature inhabiting the same state.

A treaty by its very definition is an agreement between two sovereign states, two discernibly different people. Signing a treaty between people of the same sovereign state creates an 'us against them' environment almost by necessity in order to satisfy the definition of the word 'treaty'. It is unavoidable and inevitable. It is divisive and damaging.

All people in this state want the same thing, and that is equality for Aboriginal people. This should be achieved by outcomes, not hollow words on a bit of paper signed by people in Adelaide far away from the view and influence of a wide range of Aboriginal people. The people of Point Pearce need to see more of the money earned from their land flowing through to their community rather than being chewed up in pointless bureaucracy. They need to see more opportunities for their own ideas, for free enterprise to flourish and for jobs to be created. They need to see improvements to their houses and living conditions. They need to see actions, not words. There has been very little action over the past 16 years, only words.

'Don't keep history a mystery' is a powerful title and a pertinent reminder to learn from our mistakes. Only two weeks ago, I was visited by an Aboriginal person who came to my electorate office seeking urgent help. She was the primary caregiver to a child born of a close relative of hers in addition to having four children of her own for whom she cared. The state had ordered that child, whom she had essentially adopted, be placed in state care. I can assure this place that that lady was well presented, articulate and loving.

At that moment, she was not worried about a treaty. She just wanted to continue to care for her own family. Let us learn from our past mistakes, make real, practical change and avoid having another generation stolen from their family. The future of reconciliation is not a mystery. It needs actions, not words. This Marshall Liberal government is committed to providing action to ensure Aboriginal people experience improved living conditions, better societal engagement and greater prosperity.

I look forward to working with the entire Aboriginal community within the electorate of Narungga directly to ensure the best possible outcomes. It is a tremendous honour to represent an electorate named after the Aboriginal people. I can only hope that I do them justice by providing the best possible representation and ensuring that they experience improved living conditions going forward.

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