From the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ecumenical Commission

40 years ago some 90.77% of the population stood up for Indigenous Australians and allowed Federal laws to be made on their behalf and to be counted in the census.  Even with the hard work of many supporters of Indigenous Australians this was a huge surprise.  We moved from the racist colonial system of the past into what was hoped to be a brighter future.

“As I reflect on the last 40 years it is evident people do not care, like in the past, about their fellow Australians who are left on the dung heap of society,” said Mr Graeme Mundine, Executive Secretary of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ecumenical Commission.

“This is the picture which I see has emerged.  Yes, some have become better educated and are doing quite well within the wider community, but for the vast majority life still stinks.  All the statistics vouch for this and yet those who have the power to change things, Governments and in effect all Australian citizens, don’t really care.  Even when good solutions are put forward they are either under funded or not funded at all.  Images are put forward by Governments that advances are being made.  Yet the statistics still tell us the truth that not enough is being done,” said Mr Mundine.

Even the recent Australian Federal budget seems to have failed to address the chronic lack of interest in Aboriginal affairs.  For many years politicians have been heard to say, “There are no votes in ‘Blacks’,” when asked to address the plight of Indigenous Australians.

As we begin to gather for the anniversaries, in a couple of weeks, of the handing down of the report of the Stolen Generations and the 40th anniversary of the 1967 Referendum, Indigenous Australians cannot help but feel quite alone in their quest for justice.

We are very quick to race off to save the poor children of Africa who are beamed into our TV’s every night (which I don’t object to) but we fail to notice those little speed humps along the road, our so called ‘fellow Australians’.  These little speed humps are annoying but are there to remind us that we should also address the problems in our own backyards.

I call on all Australians during this time of reflecting to think again about our own country and about the continual lack of interest in Australian Indigenous issues.

Graeme Mundine, Executive Secretary
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ecumenical Commission
of the National Council of Churches in Australia

Contact for comment: Graeme Mundine 0419 238 788