‘Truth wasn’t told’: Reconciliation Tasmania says there’s still work to do after barrage of racist posts
A Tasmanian Aboriginal organisation has responded to a barrage of offensive, “racist and bigoted” comments on its Facebook page. LATEST >>
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AN ABORIGINAL organisation has been left reeling after a “barrage of highly offensive, racist and bigoted” comments were posted to its Facebook page.
While Reconciliation Tasmania has deleted the comments and issued a statement that such content wouldn’t be tolerated, it has also reiterated the only way forward was through education.
Spokesman Chris Crerar said the offensive posts were in response to a Facebook update featuring pictures of various Tasmanian elders from ANZAC Day alongside a call-out for donations towards palawa-led projects.
The offensive comments – posted during NAIDOC Week – ranged from “those people aren’t Aboriginal, they don’t deserve any money” to “I don’t see any Aboriginal people in these photographs, they’re all white” – to the deeply offensive “their culture was bound to die out”.
He said another comment related to famous 19th century Tasmanian Aboriginal woman Truganini, with the poster saying “she was the last of them”.
“It’s such a minefield, social media,” he said.
“To be honest, most of our posts have only received support and love.”
The organisation’s chief executive Mark Redmond said the comments showed “a continuing gap in knowledge of a lot of non-Aboriginal people”.
He said it was “disturbing” that people thought the last Tasmanian Aboriginal person died 200 years ago.
“The lack of education comes from the people my age got from schooling back in the 60s and 70s – the truth wasn’t told,” he said.
“We need to refocus on education, getting the information out to people in a gentle way.”
Mr Redmond said there was “still a gap” and “there’s a lot of work still to do”.
“Once people’s eyes are opened up a bit more, I think they will understand that the deep hurt felt by Aboriginal people today is really very real,” he said.
“With this vilification we received on our Facebook page, we need to speak up and not be silent, so the people who hold these views can become more aware.”
Co-chair Clair Andersen said while Reconciliation Tasmania had outreach programs in schools and at university, many people still hadn’t been exposed to the state’s Aboriginal history.
“It’s just a reflection of how much work there is still to do. It’ll probably never be perfect, but I think things can be better,” she said.
“I think if people understand the history and what’s happened, they’ll improve their attitudes.”
Aboriginal flag to fly permanently at Launceston halls
THE ABORIGINAL flag will fly permanently at Town Hall and Albert Hall in Launceston after councillors voted unanimously in favour of a “long over due” change to the council’s flag flying policy.
The motion was moved by Deputy Mayor Danny Gibson who said he wanted apologise for how long it had taken for the change to occur.
“I believe, we as a council can purposefully and intentionally uplift the minority and historically marginalised groups within our community, that’s the Launceston I stand for,” he said.
Councillor Tim Walker said he was extremely proud that the council was taking the step forward in the process.
“This process is an ongoing one, it’s not one with an end destination, it’s a continual journey, that we work together with the Tasmanian Aboriginal community to continue to develop cultural relationships and understandings and to recognise past injustices that certainly can’t be changed, but we can change the present and make a better future for all of us,” Cr Walker said.
“This is about the flying of flags, multiple flags, but more importantly for the first time ever it is about flying the Aboriginal flag on two prominent council buildings every day as per the policy,” Cr Gibson said.
The Aboriginal flag is already flown by the council at the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery as well as at Home Point on the banks of the kanamaluka/Tamar Estuary.
Launceston Mayor Albert van Zetten said he was pleased the new policy had been supported
unanimously.
“The City of Launceston is committed to recognising and respecting our Indigenous history and culture.
“This is another step in that process,” he said.
Development applications will now be lodged for the additional flagpoles on the roofs of both buildings.
Launceston City Council to vote on flying the Aboriginal flag
AN UPCOMING Launceston City Council vote could see the Aboriginal flag fly permanently alongside the Australian flag at Town Hall and Albert Hall.
The Aboriginal flag is already flown by the council at the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery as well as at Home Point on the banks of the kanamaluka/Tamar Estuary.
Launceston Mayor Albert van Zetten said it was time to review the existing flying of flags policy.
“Through its work in developing a cultural strategy, creating new exhibitions to tell Indigenous stories at QVMAG, and through continuing dialogue with members of the Tasmanian Aboriginal community, the City of Launceston is committed to recognising and respecting the history and culture of the First Tasmanians,” Alderman van Zetten said.
“The new flying of flags policy which will be considered at next week’s council meeting is another step on that journey.”
The policy will allow for planning applications to be lodged for additional flagpoles on the roofs of both buildings.
Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre campaigner co-ordinator Nala Mansell said it would be a great symbolic gesture and first step if councillors voted in favour of flying the flag.
“Aboriginal people are still landless, we don’t have any power with government, we are still dispossessed of land and hopefully this will lead to further discussions with the Aboriginal community,” Ms Mansell said.
She said it would be disappointing if councillors did not support the change of policy.
“We see the Australian flag flown at many places around the state, bearing in mind it is Aboriginal land, we never ceded sovereignty or rights to the land it’s only right the Aboriginal flag is also flown,” Ms Mansell said.
Councillors will vote on the potential change of policy on July 15.
Clarence alderman to make public apology after breach of conduct
Clarence alderman Richard James will apologise to his mayor and fellow councillors after a code of conduct panel found he made comments that undermined the council’s decisions.
Mayor Doug Chipman lodged a complaint against Ald James to the Clarence City Council general manager on March 22 this year.
Ald Chipman alleged that Ald James breached the council’s code of conduct during two separate radio interviews when he discussed two proposed developments in the municipality.
The developments were a new subdivision at Richardson’s Road at Sandford and a hospitality training school known as Chambroad development at Bellerive.
The panel’s determination report dated June 21, which requires him to apologise for Ald Chipman and his fellow councillors, will be presented at the council’s meeting on Monday night.
“Given Ald James’ comments were made publicly it is proper that his apology be on the public record,” the three member panel said.
Ald James told the Sunday Tasmanian he would apologise for his comments but was disappointed the matter had dragged on for so long.
“I tried to resolve this and I am more than prepared to be big and bold and to apologise,” Ald James said.
“It is not an issue.
“They were controversial matters but I will work in the spirit of what’s good for the community.
“There are no bad vibes between me and the mayor.”
Ald Chipman said the code of conduct report would be noted on Monday night.
“I’m pleased the matter has been dealt with by the panel and it is now a matter for Ald James,” he said.
In its determination the panel upheld part of Ald Chipman’s complaint and dismissed the remainder.
It found Ald James had not provided any evidence to support his assertion that “the mayor is not seeking re-election and has basically washed his hand of the matter” in relation to the Chambroad development.
“His language impugned the mayor’s professionalism and diligence in considering the issues before the council. Such language was unjustified and inappropriate,” the panel found.
The panel said there was “insufficient evidence” to prove that Ald James had knowingly misrepresented information but found he had “presented a one-sided and misleading account of the decisions.
It found his public statements on a majority vote of council had undermined the council’s decisions.
Ald Brendan Blomeley said it was concerning when a local government representative with more than 30 years’ experience “brazenly misled the public”.
“Local government is a serious business and the people of Clarence deserve elected representatives who conduct themselves with integrity and professionalism, not this amateurish rubbish,” he said.
“It is my sincere hope that Ald James learns from this experience and in future, takes the time to think before sinking to the gutter in a bid to gain the cheap political point.”
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