Anthem change is a small step in the right direction, says Aboriginal Affairs Minister Selena Uibo
INDIGENOUS political leaders in the Northern Territory have welcomed the first change to the national anthem since 1984
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INDIGENOUS political leaders in the Northern Territory have welcomed the first change to Advance Australia Fair since 1984.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the recent change in Australia’s national anthem recognises our “timeless land of ancient First Nations peoples”.
The second line of Advance Australia Fair will change from “For we are young and free” to “For we are one and free”.
Minister Aboriginal Affairs, Selena Uibo said the while the change was small, it was a significant step in the right direction towards acknowledging that Australia is home to the world’s oldest living culture.
“Words are very powerful,” Minister Uibo said.
“The change to ‘one and free’ is about Australians working in unity to create a shared future and I think Territorians will embrace the amended wording of our national anthem.”
Federal Shadow Assistant Minister Indigenous Australians, Warren Snowdon, said while he welcomed the change he thought it was simply a “symbolic gesture.”
“It needs to be accompanied by a genuine effort by the government for substantive change in it’s the treatment of First Australians, perhaps through a process for truth-telling to back up the change to the anthem,” he said.
The MP said the anthem change could be accompanied by the government legislating a Voice to the parliament and seeking its constitutional entrenchment and initiating a Treaty making process.
“There are many other areas of policy deficiencies that need to be acted upon to address the fundamental discrimination and disadvantage endured by First Australians.”
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NT Senator Malarndirri McCarthy agreed, saying that while the change was a positive step, it’s not the only step.
“It’s more interesting to note how quickly the Prime Minister can bring about change with the stroke of a pen when he has the will,” she said.
“I’d hope that his list of New Year’s resolutions includes a constitutionally enshrined First Nations voice to parliament, which could be consulted on issues such as this.”
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