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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2023-06-14 Daily Xml
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Reconciliation Week

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (14:47): My question is to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs. Will the minister inform the chamber about this year's Reconciliation Week celebrations at the Living Kaurna Cultural Centre?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (14:47): I thank the honourable member for his question; I would be most pleased to do so. This event was part of Reconciliation Week, which runs from 27 May to 3 June each year. As I think I have previously informed the chamber in years gone by, it is bookending two very significant milestones on our country's journey in reconciliation.

The first date, 27 May, is the anniversary of the 1967 referendum that recognised Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, as well as granting them the right to enrol and vote and be counted in censuses. This week ends with Mabo Day on 3 June, which is the anniversary of the High Court's decision in the Mabo case, recognising that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders had legally occupied and called this continent home for thousands of years—overturning the myth of terra nullius, that is, that the land belonged to no-one.

The theme for this year's Reconciliation Week was 'Be a voice for generations', encouraging all Australians to be a voice for reconciliation in our day-to-day lives, which is fitting this year in the lead-up (as has already been mentioned to this chamber) to a national referendum where all Australians will have an opportunity to vote on a proposal to amplify the voice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

At the start of Reconciliation Week, on 27 May, I had the opportunity to attend the Reconciliation Week at Warriparinga, the Living Kaurna Cultural Centre. Reconciliation at Warriparinga saw many people within the community come together to celebrate, support and recognise the reconciliation journey we are on.

It was a very important day to learn from and embrace the oldest living culture on the planet. There were local market stalls from a variety of Aboriginal organisations and businesses, bush tucker, live music, a campfire and yarning, as well as some visits from furry friends like Queenie the quokka and Snuffles the wombat, as well as some not so furry friendly friends such as goannas and snakes.

It was great to be able to catch up with many members of the community and community leaders. It was also a good opportunity to chat with South Australian people who are running businesses, such as artist Mali Isabel, whose work many people may recognise as she became the first Aboriginal person to contribute art to the Adelaide Fringe poster in its 62-year history. Mali's traditional paintings take on a modern spirit, with the use of bright colours on the many products that she has designed and was selling on the day.

At Warriparinga, we were welcomed to country by Robert Taylor, who as part of his welcome taught everyone a number of words in the Kaurna language. There were many serving members of this parliament there during the course of the day, including the member for Elder, Nadia Clancy; the member for Waite, Catherine Hutchesson; the member for Davenport, Erin Thompson; the member for Reynell, Katrine Hildyard; the member for Hurtle Vale, Nat Cook; and also the federal member for Boothby, Louise Miller-Frost; and the federal member for Kingston, Amanda Rishworth. It was good to see so many members of parliament out celebrating reconciliation in the community in the southern suburbs.

I want to particularly acknowledge the Southern Cultural Immersion team, who are experts in hosting cultural experiences that go above and beyond and this day was no exception. In particular, I want to thank Cory, Tobias and the rest of the Turner family, as well as the rest of the mob at Southern Cultural Immersion for putting together such an informative and fun family day. I look forward to a similar event, hopefully, next year.

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