Michael McGuire: Until Australia has a fundamental rethink about how it treats its indigenous community nothing will change

Until we deal with colonisation and its subsequent treatment of indigenous people the cycle of racism will just roll on, writes Michael McGuire.

The response to Taylor Walker’s racism has been predictable enough. Outside of a few low-rent types muttering about free speech and political correctness, the condemnation of Walker was swift and, in some cases, brutal.

And rightly so. But will it change anything?

We have been here before. Many, many times.

Every time Carlton and former Adelaide player Eddie Betts was racially abused, there was a swift burst of condemnation. Even by Taylor Walker. This year when players such as Port’s Aliir Aliir, Melbourne’s Kysaiah Pickett or St Kilda’s Brad Hill were abused, the response was quick. There’s no room for racism in the game or in society. We must eradicate such abuse.

On the weekend, SANFL players stood united before games, expressing their solidarity with Robbie Young, the target of Walker’s racist abuse.

And all that is lovely. Worthwhile even. But as powerful as sport is in this country, nothing is really going to change. Another AFL player will be abused soon enough and the whole cycle of recriminations and demands for change will start again.

Norwood and West Adelaide players unite against racism at Norwood Oval: Picture: Michael Marschall

Nothing will change until Australia has a fundamental rethink about how it treats its indigenous community. Nothing will change until we deal with the systemic and institutional racism encountered by vast swathes of Australia’s indigenous population.

The statistics are well-known, but no less depressing for that. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have poorer mortality rates, worse health-and-disease outcomes, trail in education-and-employment stats than the broader Australian population. The incarceration rates and deaths in custody numbers should shame us as a nation. As should the numbers of children taken from families or locked-up. Then there is the poverty experienced by many and the domestic violence.

How does all this happen?

To some the answer is clear. Australia has never adequately dealt with colonisation and its subsequent treatment of indigenous people. Last year in The Advertiser’s SA Weekend Irene Watson, pro vice chancellor Aboriginal leadership and strategy and professor of law at the University of South Australia said it began “the day Captain Cook planted the flag and they stole the land’’.

“Until we reset the dial and go back to the initial point of contact, and the initial point of colonisation, and work to understand the history of this country and how white privilege has been built, and that white privilege has built itself upon that history of colonisation and rethink the relationship with Aboriginal people, we will stay on this treadmill,’’ she said.

Which is a challenge. Former PM John Howard, and still influential Liberal Party figure, has decried the “black armband” view of history. Current PM Scott Morrison denied there was slavery in Australia.

So what do we do? Listening would be a good start. To allow indigenous people greater self-determination. There needs to be more recognition of the long-term trauma caused by racism. More needs to be done to increase indigenous representation on corporate boards, in management positions, in the media, in politics.

Some of this is not very hard. It just requires a little political leadership. A First Nations Voice to parliament as outlined in the Uluru Statement from the Heart would be a start. As would a proposed ‘truth-telling commission’’ that addresses colonisation.

There are a couple of other changes we could make. Take the Union Jack off our flag and change the date of Australia Day. Yes, these are symbolic changes. But symbols are important to any nation. Those that want to keep the current flag are as wrapped up in symbolism as those who want it changed.

And how is it possible to have a proper reconciliation process while still maintaining January 26 as Australia Day? It’s a simple matter of respect.

We can change the symbols and lessen indigenous disadvantage at the same time. They are not mutually exclusive.

What is frustrating is that not only is all this possible, it will make Australia a better nation. Australia’s story didn’t begin in 1788 when Arthur Phillip turned up. But if we embrace and acknowledge our indigenous history, the full story of Australia can be told and celebrated.

Originally published as Michael McGuire: Until Australia has a fundamental rethink about how it treats its indigenous community nothing will change