October 14th 2024.
According to independent MP Andrew Wilkie, the federal government has been neglecting Indigenous issues ever since the Voice to Parliament referendum was rejected. In a statement released today, Wilkie expressed his disappointment with the government's lack of action in addressing the challenges faced by First Nations peoples. It has been a year since the majority of Australians voted against the constitutional amendment, and yet, Wilkie believes that not enough has been done to improve the lives of Indigenous Australians.
"It's been a whole year since the unsuccessful Voice referendum, and it seems like the federal government is still avoiding the pressing matters concerning Indigenous communities," Wilkie stated. He highlighted the latest Productivity Commission report, which states that only five out of the 19 Closing the Gap targets are on track, and some are even regressing. This is a concerning issue that needs immediate attention.
Last year's October 14 referendum may have been defeated, but both Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton made promises to improve the lives of Indigenous Australians. "As a great nation, we can and must do better for the first Australians," Albanese stated. He also urged for cooperation in addressing the real division in society. Dutton, on the other hand, pledged to take courageous steps and implement practical solutions to bridge the gap.
However, the past year in parliament has been dominated by discussions about the cost of living, energy policies, and conflicts overseas. Wilkie believes that Indigenous issues have been largely ignored by the current government and its predecessors. "There has been a noticeable lack of progress from the Australian government, with policies and programs that have consistently failed Indigenous people and communities," Wilkie expressed. It is time for the government to take action, listen to the voices of First Nations peoples, and provide the necessary support and services.
Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy assured that she has been working towards a bipartisan approach to closing the gap. On the other hand, opposition counterpart Jacinta Price accused the government of not having a backup plan after the Voice was rejected. Meanwhile, Reconciliation Australia, a peak body, stated that the referendum defeat should not discourage Indigenous advocates from continuing their fight for justice and truth-telling. "Despite the misinformation campaign, six million Australians voted 'yes'," Reconciliation Australia stated. They also highlighted that 78% of Australians still believe that First Nations people should have a say in laws and political decisions that affect them, according to a 2024 international poll by Ipsos. This shows that the support for First Nations justice and self-determination remains strong even after the referendum.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
