Tony Zappia (Makin, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Manufacturing) Share this | Hansard source

I join my parliamentary colleagues in paying tribute to Dr G Yunupingu. As we have heard, he passed away late last month in Royal Darwin Hospital at the young age of 46. I didn't know Dr G personally, but I knew of him and I knew of his music. Dr G was an extraordinary Australian. Originating from the remote Galiwinku community, on Elcho Island off the coast of Arnhem Land, and as the member for Lingiari said, blind from birth, Dr G Yunupingu went on to become one of Australia's most celebrated musicians. Few musicians of this country ever get to perform in front of the audiences that Dr G was invited to perform before. It's an honour that few can claim and one that speaks about the importance of his music and the high regard in which he was held not only in this country but across the world.

Dr G's music had a uniqueness that resonated across the world and transcended cultural and national boundaries. His music had meaning. It touched those who listened to it, even though in many cases they probably couldn't understand the language. You can feel the music within you when you listen to music well performed. The former member of this House and Midnight Oil lead singer Peter Garrett described Dr G Yunupingu as a truly great musician. I know Peter knew him personally, and for him to say that is testimony to the calibre of the person we are talking about.

I note that it's extraordinary how many Indigenous Australians have displayed outstanding talents, particularly in the arts, in music and in sports. They have done that despite their disadvantage and the many barriers they continue to face. Their achievements are a real credit to them. Only very few people ever rise to national or international fame. To do so when the odds are stacked against you makes the achievement so much more unique. Can I say, to all of those people who have done that in the face of adversity, that their achievements show just how effective the arts, music and sport can be in bringing people of different backgrounds together and in doing so overcoming cultural prejudice. I have seen time and time again where people who might otherwise be considered to have a particular bias towards one cultural group or another totally lose that when they begin to support and admire a person that has achieved great things and represents their whole community or their country. In fact it was Nelson Mandela who said that he could bring his country together through sports.

What made Dr G Yunupingu's music so powerful and appealing was that he maintained his own heritage right throughout it. And he was able to bridge the cultural divide of the very different communities he was performing to. Yet, like so many of his own people, Dr G Yunupingu lived with the daily social disadvantage that Indigenous Australians have endured for years and which Australian governments of all persuasions have tried but unsuccessfully been able to overcome. What is extraordinary about Dr G Yunupingu is that he remained with his people and in his lands until the end. He could have chosen a different life. He could have moved away to where he might have had more support in terms of his health needs, and he didn't. He stayed amongst his people because that's where he felt he belonged.

The very disadvantage that he endured to reach great heights was the disadvantage that ultimately cost him his life. Perhaps, and I don't want to dwell on this because my comments are about him, if there is some good to come from his passing it is that his passing will bring a renewed commitment to and focus on overcoming the health and social disadvantage of the Indigenous people, particularly those who live in the remote parts of Australia. Dr G Yunupingu's life has passed but his music, and through his music his presence, will endure with us for years to come. His life will inspire others, as I am sure it already has, and he has made his people and the Australian people proud. To Dr G Yunupingu's family, to his friends and to his people, I extend my deep condolences.

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