Luke Gosling (Solomon, Australian Labor Party) | Hansard source

I acknowledge that this parliament sits on the lands of the Ngunawal and the Ngambri peoples, and I honour the ongoing contributions of all First Nations elders, past and present, that are part of the world's oldest continuing culture, resident here in our nation. We're remembering the apology—that amazing speech given by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. And it was a seminal moment in our nation. I remember it mostly for the impact that it had.

When I saw Kevin come up to Darwin, to Royal Darwin Hospital, there were lots of countrymen out the front, as there often are—lots of First Nations elders who had come in from communities, either for health treatment for themselves or to visit loved ones and support their friends and family. I'd been working with Jose Ramos-Horta, the former President of Timor-Leste, at around the time that he'd survived an assassination attempt, so we'd brought him back to Royal Darwin Hospital. Kevin Rudd, the new Prime Minister, had come up to Darwin to see Jose, and, as we went in the doors of the Royal Darwin Hospital, out the front there were, as I said, those elders, and they just said: 'Thanks, Kevin! Good on you, Kevin!' And it was without fanfare. There were no cameras. It was from the heart, and it was just expressing a bit of relief, a bit of joy and a bit of gratitude that someone had extended that apology on behalf of our nation. And it is something I will never forget. It was beautiful, and it showed that we had heard the apology, as a nation, and that we were proud, as a nation, that it had been done. Of course, we kind of wondered why it had taken that long—what deficiency of humility or of grace had led to such a delay in the extension of that apology. But it was a wonderful, wonderful moment.

As others have done, I might reflect on some personal experiences. In the late seventies, I suppose—I was a young fella; I can't remember the year exactly—or maybe in the early eighties, I had a school friend whose parents had gone to work on an Aboriginal mission in the Wheatbelt of WA, at a little place called Tardun, near Mullewa. So I went over there to visit my friend. I went by plane—I think it was the first time I'd ever been on a plane—from Melbourne over to Perth, and then by road up to this mission. It was my first experience with Aboriginal people over in WA. These kids were amazing sportsmen and sportswomen, or sports boys and girls—they were incredible. And it was a great experience to be out with them on their country. I was at high school in Healesville, in the hills north of Melbourne, which of course is where Coranderrk was. We'd had some Aboriginal kids at St Brigid's Catholic Primary School, but I hadn't really connected. But out on this mission I saw what seemed, I thought at the time, to be working for everyone. Of course, in time, in maturity, you realise that, whilst an education is important, being with your family is incredibly important.

When I moved to the Territory and met so many other members of the stolen generation, I gained a fuller appreciation of the intergenerational trauma and harm caused by separation. That's why the humility with which former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd offered that apology on behalf of the nation was keenly and gratefully accepted, because in the Top End there are lots of people who have had that experience—their families have been taken away. Shadow Minister for Indigenous Affairs Linda Burney articulated that incredibly well in her speech following the speeches of the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition in this place.

The member for Barton, the shadow minister for Indigenous affairs, during her speech acknowledged some of the First Nations senators in this place, including Senator Malarndirri McCarthy and Senator Pat Dodson from the Labor Party. She also mentioned former senator Nova Peris, who, when she joined the Senate, was the first First Nations woman elected to our parliament. I had the good fortune to work with Nova for a period, so I can report to the House that postpolitics Nova is doing incredibly well. She has established the Nova Peris Foundation. Of course, she has family connections who were part of the stolen generation. It's very real for people in the Top End. Nova, having established the Nova Peris Foundation, is doing some project work in the Tiwi Islands. The Royal Australian Navy recently had her sponsor NUSHIP Arafura, down in Adelaide, which I think is extremely appropriate. And she can feel very proud that she played a strong role in the campaign to free the Aboriginal flag. Well done, Nova! That's a bit of an update for the House.

So many in the Top End have been touched by this, as I said. What Paul Keating knew to be the power in his speech 30 years ago in Redfern is the power of truth in our reconciliation journey. I hope that following the Uluru Statement from the Heart we are able to implement voice, treaty and truth. We will have the opportunity to bring about further healing through practical action, in health and housing in particular.

When Kevin Rudd delivered the apology, people got to know Lorna Fejo, who's the mum of a good friend of mine, Richie Fejo, and others. A couple of years ago, when Lorna had a significant birthday, we lined up a call so that Kevin could wish Lorna Fejo a happy birthday. It was a beautiful moment. Back in 2008, when Kevin delivered the apology, he said to Lorna, 'Do I call you "Auntie"?' She said, 'No; you can call me by my skin name, Kevin: "Nanna Nungala".' Lorna Nanna Nungala Fejo is unwell at the moment. We send you our love and appreciation, and the respect of this House.

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