‘Start redistributing’: Tony Armstrong’s major call

ABC star Tony Armstrong has called on all Australians who have “benefited from the ongoing colonisation of First Nations lands” to pay voluntary reparations.

Former ABC News Breakfast star Tony Armstrong has called on all Australians who have “benefited from the ongoing colonisation of First Nations lands” to pay voluntary reparations.

The 35-year-old two-time Logie winner took to social media on Friday to throw his support behind the “#WealthBack” campaign by First Nations Futures, a funding platform for Aboriginal community initiatives.

“Reckon it’s time everyone starts redistributing ayyy,” Armstrong captioned an Instagram Story sharing the campaign.

He followed up the post by sharing a number of hateful comments he received in response, including one which read, “This smug turd is annoying.”

“I love living rent free in these losers’ heads,” Armstrong wrote.

Tony Armstrong backs the #WealthBack campaign. Picture: Supplied

The “#WealthBack” campaign website states, “In the lead up to Invasion Day (January 26), First Nations Futures is calling on all people that have benefited from the ongoing colonisation of First Nations lands to give #WEALTHBACK.

“#WEALTHBACK means to reckon with past and present wrongs, and participate in the returning of wealth that has been taken. It acknowledges the economic benefit that people living in so-called ‘Australia’ have gained from colonisation.

“Land theft, slavery, and the ongoing refusal to address this by governments and individuals has created immense wealth inequality in so-called ‘Australia’ — to the continual benefit of settlers and the detriment of First Nations people.

“It is time for all people to move beyond empty gestures and address the truth that this country is formed from the theft of First Nations lands and wages.

“Through widespread, active and recurring wealth redistribution, our campaign offers a tangible and meaningful way for all people to participate in collective movement towards justice.”

The purpose of “#WealthBack” is to “reckon with the history of stolen wealth and how it informs present wealth”, “return wealth that has been taken from First Nations communities” and “repair past wrongs and pave way for a collective future grounded in justice”.

The former ABC News Breakfast presenter is a two-time Logie winner. Picture: Sam Tabone/Getty Images

The campaign has set a goal of raising $400,000 to “support our First Nations partners in continuing their integral work for community and Country” and “signing up 250 people on a recurring basis to “redistribute $5 (or more) per week”.

“All funds that are redistributed through our funding platform go directly to our First Nations community-driven partners where they will have the autonomy and self-determination in how that money is best spent within their programs and activities,” the website states.

“This supports the continuous and sustaining work that our partners are doing for community and Country — on their terms, on their lands.”

First Nations Futures says it will partner with two more initiatives when its funding targets are met.

The funding page recommends weekly donations ranging from $15 to $100, monthly donations from $30 to $200, or once-off payments of $50 up to $1000.

“If you are in a financial position to do so, we recommend making a recurring co-investment (weekly or monthly) as an active step in redistributing wealth,” it states. “If this is not within your financial capacity, making a once-off co-investment is a meaningful way to contribute.”

Explaining the importance of “co-investing”, First Nations Futures says the “continuous impacts of colonisation have created unequal ground, where all people living in Australia continually benefit economically from the colonisation of First Nations lands and people”.

“The effects have meant that non-Indigenous people have disproportionate power and access to wealth and resources,” it states.

Armstrong in the new six-part series Eat the Invaders. Picture: ABC

“While many First Nations community-driven initiatives do not have the sustainable resources to drive the change they want to see. Our communities have been advocating, campaigning and implementing solutions on the ground for generations on limited resources. It is for all people in Australia to take responsibility and redistribute wealth and power in meaningful and ongoing ways.”

Armstrong, a Gamilaroi man and former AFL player, became one of the country’s most recognisable TV personalities after starting with ABC News Breakfast in 2020 as a fill-in sports presenter.

He went on to win the Graham Kennedy Award at the 2022 Logie Awards for most popular new talent as well as the 2023 Bert Newton Award for most popular presenter.

He announced he was leaving the show last year and presented his last broadcast in October.

Armstrong said he would “miss everyone”, and that his time with the ABC had been a “whirlwind”.

“Mixed feelings,” Armstrong said.

“You can tell by my body language, I don’t like talking about myself too much, despite being in a career where I’m in front of a camera.”

Armstrong also said his time with the program had given him “so many lovely memories”.

“I wouldn’t be in the position that I’m in today to be able to walk out on my own terms, and into whatever is next,” he said.

Armstrong is currently starring in a new six-part series for the ABC, Eat the Invaders, which investigates whether consuming invasive species like cane toads and deer could be the solution to safeguarding Australia’s native environment.

Originally published as ‘Start redistributing’: Tony Armstrong’s major call