Opinion: Sport is one of our most powerful tools when it comes to reconciliation

Sport is one of our most powerful tools when it comes to reconciliation, and it fosters many opportunities for truth-telling, writes Douglas Smith.

It was 38 years ago when mining heiress Gina Rinehart’s father Lang Hancock proposed the sterilisation of Aboriginal people through the poisoning of waterways so that they “would breed themselves out in the future” and “solve the (Aboriginal) problem”.

Pretty unreal if you think about it – even for the year 1984.

Rinehart’s silence on her father’s racist comments can make one wonder. If she were to comment on the matter, it would close off any speculation about her views on her father’s sentiment and would not leave anything open to interpretation.

I am in no way suggesting Rinehart should apologise for what her father said, as I don’t believe anyone should have to. But my question is, what’s stopping her from denouncing it? It would make sense if she disagreed with his sentiment and would not hurt her image in 2022.

It’s sad that the course of action she has taken, following the controversy surrounding Netball Australia, is to pull out of the $15m sponsorship deal. Now the top sporting body could face more financial loss because of it. Other major sponsors are considering following Hancock Prospecting because of player stances on issues relating to Lang Hancock’s racist comments and the company’s track record on the environment.

Lang Hancock suggested sterilisation as a solution to the 'Aboriginal problem' in a 1984 TV interview. Source: YouTube

There’s a history of mistreatment towards all Indigenous people in this country since colonisation and it’s an uncomfortable history to talk about, particularly for non-Indigenous people. But, in this day and age, there is something that’s proven to work in bringing Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians together to confront that history – sport.

Sport is one of our most powerful tools when it comes to reconciliation, and it fosters many opportunities for truth-telling. It allows for parties to come to the table and air grievances so that they can move forward together. There is no real progress without first acknowledging historical wrongs. Not just in Australia, but in any country that is serious about reconciliation.

Yes, we have come a long way since 1984. But there is still a long way to go and you would be naive to think that everything in this country is OK when it comes to race relations.

In private, Wallam asked for an exemption from wearing the Hancock Prospecting logo and I can see why she would have done that.

Netball Australia shot itself in the foot when it didn’t allow Wallam an exemption, writes Douglas Smith. Picture: Brendon Thorne / Getty Images

I can see why it would have been triggering for her to wear a logo that represented a company founded by a man who advocated for the genocide of “problem” Indigenous people.

Why wouldn’t she?

It was brave of her to do so in an organisation that is only now starting to build on its relations with Indigenous communities to break down barriers that have, for too long, prevented Indigenous women from reaching the top level of netball.

Netball Australia would have done itself a favour in giving her that exemption from wearing the logo which many Indigenous Australians cringe at. Standing alone is never a comfortable thing to do for Indigenous athletes such as Wallam, who is one of just three Indigenous netballers to represent Australia.

Really, Netball Australia shot itself in the foot when it didn’t allow Wallam an exemption. But, it was good to see her Diamond’s teammates stand by her. Especially after the organisation’s Declaration of Commitment to do better. I hope it continues to do so.