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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, Second Session (54-2)
2021-08-26 Daily Xml
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South Australian Multicultural Bill

Second Reading

Adjourned debate on second reading.

(Continued from 8 June 2021.)

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY (17:44): I rise to speak on the South Australian Multicultural Bill 2020; however, I have several concerns with the bill. Clause 4(a) under 'Parliamentary declaration' and clause 19(2)(b) in the South Australian Multicultural Charter refer to Aboriginal peoples. My office has sought clarification on the extent to which the diverse Aboriginal communities in South Australia have been asked about these inclusions, particularly given the clause 3(4) definition of 'interculturalism' in the preliminary section.

Whilst the celebration of Australia Day is a national holiday, the ongoing celebration of 26 January in South Australia raises the question of how it is consistent with an act that refers to interculturalism. How does this support by government accord with the principle of interculturalism, namely to:

recognise and promote in the community—

(a) a deep understanding of, and respect for, all cultures; and

(b) a dynamic, inclusive interaction between diverse groups within the community.

The well-meaning, significant and powerful inclusion of an acknowledgement of Aboriginal peoples as First Australians and their role in the diversity of the people of South Australia does not accord with the reality that must be met in the definition of 'interculturalism' and raises real questions of hypocrisy. It is relevant to note comments from Craig Foster, who is an Australia Day Ambassador and became a recipient of the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) on 26 January last:

A national day is special in so many ways. It would be incalculably more powerful on a date that truly brings us all together. Let's make it happen…It is no good talking about a multicultural, inclusive Australia if we are not prepared to live it.

It is noted that Noel Pearson warns against symbolic gestures, urging against any sort of reform without extensive consultation with Indigenous communities. In a speech on 17 March this year, Mr Pearson stated:

Australia doesn't make sense without [constitutional] recognition. Australia is incomplete without recognition. How could there be an Australia without its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island indigenous peoples? As long as its indigenous peoples remain unrecognised then Australia is an absurdity.

…This absurdity becomes apparent with each passing January. The old idea of an Australia that started on 26 January 1788 and that's that, is fraying and our political leaders don't know what to do. The standard mode has been to ignore these fractures of national identity and all of the consequences that flow from the failure of recognition, for 11 months of the year, and then to panic in January about how we are going to deal with Australia Day.

Politicians offer thought bubbles so the nation's national day might return to untrammelled celebration and joy. No serious thinking or leadership is forthcoming from the political parties or the parliament. There are far too many Australians determined to stand with indigenous peoples in rejecting the old idea of Australia.

Mr Pearson refers to three stories of Australia:

…the Ancient Indigenous Heritage which is Australia's foundation, the British Institutions built upon it, and the adorning Gift of Multicultural Migration…The third story is the Gift of Multicultural Migration and recognises that peoples from the earth over brought their multitude of cultural gifts to Australia. That we celebrate diversity in unity makes us a beacon to the world. When we renounced the White Australia policy, we made a better Commonwealth,

…These three stories will make us one: Australians.

Constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians is not a project of woke identity politics, it is Australia's longest standing and unresolved project for justice and inclusion.

I need to know that proper consultation has occurred with the diverse Aboriginal communities in South Australia. I also need to know that there is not rank hypocrisy when considering in the bill the definition of 'interculturalism' that talks about a deep understanding of and respect for all cultures and inclusive interaction between diverse groups and other actions of government.

I particularly refer the government to the insightful comments made by Mr Pearson. The government has raised these elements in the bill and taken us down a rabbit hole, and it is for the government to reconcile these contradictions and not place the responsibility elsewhere. It is the responsibility of government to take whatever actions it can to ensure the intentions of the bill can be met, and that is what I require. I wait to hear how the government answers these matters in the course of the debate.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. I.K. Hunter.

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