Talking Point: Embrace Uluru Statement from the Heart

BILL HANDBURY: We must express more than platitudes on indigenous matters

DECENCY: Michael Kirby, Recognise chairman Sean Gordon and Rachel Perkins with the Uluru Statement from the Heart. Picture: JOHN FEDER

IF you haven’t read the Uluru Statement from the Heart please do. It is a document of national importance.

Every Australian should read this heartfelt testimony with its plea for truth, fairness and decency.

Of late our Federal Government has sunk to a succession of reprehensible lows.

It has damaged Australia’s international reputation with its inhumane offshore detention centres, its defiance of climate science and its mooted disruption in Israel.

And now it has sunk to an all time low by supporting with its eyes wide open the “it’s OK to be white” slogan in the Senate. It did this whilst simultaneously rejecting the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

These combined actions have pulled Australia into the cesspool of racism. The Government’s statement has wedged yet further two very diverse cultures.

When reading the Uluru Statement even the most insensitive of politicians must cringe with the quote “the torment of hopelessness”.

It strikes at the heart of the rejection by Prime Minister Morrison and his Government.

Until all governments and administrators look at all matters indigenous through indigenous eyes the unjustified treatment and subsequent hardship will continue.

A strategy needs to be put in place to address the immorality of rejection and the massive damage.

The Mercury should be thanked for publishing the article, “Truth about our history can liberate us all’ (Talking Point, October 9).

The ALP has recently made positive statements about supporting the Uluru Statement. It needs to go to the next election with a commitment for absolute support.

But the immediate focus rests with the government of the day.

It is hellbent on killing off any discussion of Uluru Statement acceptance for fear of opening a Pandora’s box with embarrassing consequences.

It is this longstanding fear which has led to the growing practice of its shameless racism.

Tasmanian Denison MP Andrew Wilkie, who from day one supported the Uluru Statement, has this week raised in Question Time the importance of meaningful indigenous representation.

The Prime Minister responded with platitudes of support.

He also stated clearly that he will not entertain anything other than “local” representation and that such representations must filter up to the Gods in Canberra.

Furthermore he made it clear that having an actual voice in Parliament is not an option.

The Government is being devious. Its ploy is to say that all recent findings pertaining to indigenous wants and needs are meritorious and that they are being met.

It claims it is fully supporting the First Peoples, but it knows the support offered is meaningless without the support and implementation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

The Prime Minister is a master of spin, but all the spin in the world will not excuse him until he embraces the Uluru Statement from the Heart with open arms.

Bill Handbury is a Tasmanian artist based in North Hobart. He was a finalist in the Glover Art Prize 2018.