A good argument could be made that the "extinguishment of
native title" is another way of saying "genocide".
First People and their living country form the basic unit of
life. There can be no separation without extreme damage to
both people and country.
Anglo-Australians will have to learn to live with this simple
truth. This means recognition - of the place of First People
in everyday Australian life.
The vested interests which have grown up in Australia, during
the horrors of the reign of the doctrine of terra nullius, are
busy at work to over-throw the partial victory of Australia's
First People gained by last years Mabo decision. These
interests refuse to recognise First People as their Senior
Partners in life.
It is of crucial importance for the future stability of life
in Australia (and globally) that the Federal Government
introduce legislation to protect the rights of native title.
But their hearts are not in it.
The coming United Nations human rights conference in Vienna is
one venue at which international support could be expressed
for the surviving First People of Australia.
The human rights record of the Anglo-Australian State, in
respect to Australia's First People, is one which defies
description. International scrutiny is long over due.
Secondly, Australia is seeking to stage the Olympic Games in
Sydney, New South Wales, in the year 2000. This is part of a
centenary which celebrates the establishment of a Federation
of British colonies into the Commonwealth of Australia.
It is indicative of the foundations of this Commonwealth that
Aboriginal people were actually excluded from the Constitution
of this Commonwealth. The life design it incorporates leaves
little to celebrate.
When Australia last staged the Olympic Games, in 1956 in
Melbourne, Aboriginal people were still excluded from the
Constitution. Their rights were virtually non-existent. The
Constitution was amended in 1966 when it was widely believed
that First People would be assimilated into mainstream Anglo-
Australian society. This has not happened, and their culture
continues to live.
Australia is home to two very different cultures and People -
but the original way is dominated by the new arrival from
England. Australia should be bi-cultural, but the mainstream
decision-makers refuse to adapt to their surroundings.
The question the world must ask is "Is Australia mature enough
to gain the Olympic Games?"
This is best answered by examining the Anglo-Australian record
on human rights in relation to First People and by looking
long and hard at the evidence that real changes have been put
in place.
Want to turn off genocide in Australia? Put Australia's past
and present treatment of First People on the agenda at Vienna
in June and on the agenda for the Olympic Committee meetings
between now and September when they will make decision.
This is a crucial time in Australia. Your full support is
urgently required.
We must turn off the old pattern of genocide which is rooted
in a pretence that the rights of First People are not 'really
real'.
Write to the Prime Minister, Mr Paul Keating, Parliament
House, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2600 - and ask
him to legislate to protect the native title rights of
Australia's First People. (Fax 06 2715414).
Write or phone your local Federal Member with the same
message. Like, now.
In solidarity,
Bruce Reyburn
30 May 1993.