Sue Lines (WA, Deputy-President) Share this | Hansard source

The last fortnight has seen some celebrations in this place, including National Reconciliation Week and the anniversary of the Mabo decision. It was fantastic to have the government table the Mabo statement today and to have of Senator Patrick Dodson respond to that statement on behalf of Labor in this chamber. We have also had the anniversary of the Bringing them home report and the 20th anniversary of the Healing Foundation and, of course, the all-important the 50th anniversary of the 1967 referendum.

Today in this place with some mixed emotions we have been debating the Native Title Act. For me and for those claimants who appealed that decision in Western Australia and who have largely been forgotten by people in this chamber—instead the native title stuff is focused elsewhere—what we are seeing with that native title claim, particularly in relation to Western Australia, is that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in this country continue to fight from a legacy created through injustices.

But I want to focus tonight on the celebrations of Mabo, the Bringing them home report, the 20th anniversary of the Healing Foundation and particularly the 1967 referendum. All of these events have played a part and continue to play a part in the recognition, the healing and the hope for our future, as we recognise and respect our first nations people as first Australians.

The first significant step started, in my view and in the view of many, with the 1967 referendum. The referendum was the result of a prevailing movement for political change, to make change in the laws that had for almost a century discriminated against or not recognised Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The referendum received the highest yes vote ever recorded in a federal referendum. Almost 91 per cent of Australians voted for change—something we can all be proud of!

Tonight, in the spirit of reconciliation, I am proud to read a poem written by Nola Gregory in April this year. Nola and I share something special in the love of Charlee Chmielewski, our shared 'granny'. Nola grew up in Geraldton and has family ties to the Kija and Bardi people in the north of Western Australia. Nola is passionate about poetry and each year she writes about the different themes for National Reconciliation Week. When former PM Kevin Rudd gave the apology to the stolen generations, Nola wrote the most beautiful, heartfelt poem about that apology. Nola believes that poems are the way into a person's spirit and can deliver messages that sometimes we all fail to do. Nola wholeheartedly believes the 1967 referendum is an issue all Australian's need to be aware of. Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people still struggle to be recognised, and Nola hopes the poem encourages positive change in our community and nations. This is Nola's poem:

Sailed their boats

Up to our shores

Aimed their guns

And made their laws

No man’s land

Was what they said

Did not want to count

One single head

As flora and fauna

We were seen

Did not have a say

In our own dreams

British subjects

Was the term they used?

Wasn’t even asked

For our important views

Alien citizens

On our own sand

Treated as foreigners

By treacherous hands

Our rights were shunned

Our lives controlled

We watched in sadness

Saw it all unfold

Then came a sound

Like a rushing tide

Throughout the land

It rolled far and wide

And one by one

The voices all rose

In an almighty crescendo

We watched them grow

A referendum

A deciding vote

To take count of us

Bring healing and hope

Set the wheels in motion

And opened the door

"The Aboriginal question"

The changing of laws

The scars run deep

Within our lives

But we will fight on

For justice with pride

And hope one day soon

We will stand hand in hand

As we press for equality

In our Great Australian Land

Thank you, Nola Gregory.