Scrap the whole anthem rather than tweak the words: Aboriginals

Tasmania’s Aboriginal community says debate about the inclusiveness of Australia’s national anthem should open the door to other discussions such as the handing back of land.

• Artefacts to return to country
• Elders Council faces a ‘disastrous’ future

TASMANIAN Aboriginal leaders say its time to scrap Australia’s national anthem altogether and replace it with something more inclusive.

Their stance comes after NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian called for the lyrics of Advance Australia Fair to be tweaked and the words “we are young and free” changed to “we are one and free.”

Tasmania's Aboriginal community says it is time to go one step further and ditch Advance Australia Fair and write a new anthem that represents the nation’s true history.

Singer songwriter Dewayne EverettSmith, Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania chair Michael Mansell and his daughter Nala Mansell all say the current anthem does not recognise Aboriginal Australians and should be dumped.

While changing the anthem would be a matter for the Federal Government, Tasmania’s Premier Peter Gutwein and Governor Kate Warner say they are watching the debate and welcome the discussion.

Indigenous Tasmanian singer songwriter, DeWayne Everett Smith . pic - Sam Mooy

Mr EverettSmith said the anthem needed to change to include not just 200 years of white history but 60,000 years of Australian history.

“We need a new anthem to include our voices, a national song written in a way which reflects Australia’s true history and what it represents today,” he said.

Mr EverettSmith thinks there is a desire in modern Australia to pay more respect to Aboriginal culture.

“But at the same time it is not always up to Aboriginal people to put things back together. “Here is a chance to do one thing which would instil pride and dignity and include Aborigines in national celebrations. It’s like the change the date Australia Day campaign. We want Australia to celebrate but to also be part of it.”

Michael Mansell from the Tasmania Aboriginal Centre. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Mr Mansell said any new anthem needed to come with a commitment by governments to make a settlement with Aboriginal people.

“Aboriginal people are not a young people – we have been here since time began. And we are certainly not free. We are jailed at the rate of six times the national average,” Mr Mansell said.

“Our lands are still claimed by the crown and we are under-represented in parliaments.

“It is absurd that Aborigines must listen to the stupid words of the national anthem at major sporting events.

“The current lyrics are for a white nation established in 1901. It is time the words reflected the history and culture of Aborigines.”

Nunami Sculthorpe-Green, Sara Maynard, Nala Mansell and Aaron Everett. Flag raising event with community at Risdon Cove for the start of NAIDOC Week. Picture: Richard Jupe

Nala Mansell suggested the first verse could be changed to “Australians all let us rejoice, for we are all just thieves” in reference to the stealing of Aboriginal land.

In a talking point in Today’s Mercury, Ms Mansell said it was time to not only change the anthem but to hand back land.

“This year’s NAIDOC theme provides a perfect opportunity for our many non-Aboriginal allies to honestly and sincerely acknowledge the traditional owners of this land and pay proper respects to ‘’elders past and present’’ by joining in the campaign for the return of land to the Aboriginal community,” she said.

“Then, and only then, will we be able to stand proudly in welcoming you all to what always has and always will be, Aboriginal land.”