Dear Senators Chamarette and Margetts,
Dreaming Songlines do not stop at the fences cattlemen have
recently put across the First Peoples living countries. No!
Dreaming is strong.
That is a fact of life, if not yet of Canberra law. That law
has been made by men seeking to dominant life with their
strange image of themselves as Boss.
Surviving First Peoples must hold onto the common law right to
argue that native title is not totally extinguished by
pastoral lease. Why? Because this is the truth!
The countries well-being depends on living that truth and not
another Government lie which turns the life-force of the land
into dust.
Good legislation matches law with reality. People with their
lands under pastoral lease have been systematically
"forgotten" by those who worship private property. They are
blind to Dreaming.
SPECIAL CASE IN THE NORTHERN TERRITORY.
If the Native Title Bill must be rushed, it needs to be
amended to take in account the Commonwealth Government's
special obligation to look after the rights of First Peoples
in its Northern Territory.
Restoring balance, decency and fair play to all of Australian
life requires Pastoral lease land in the Northern Territory to
be put into Category B of the Native Title Bill. It may be a
last chance for gentle healing to take place.
This will provide a chance to show that living together is
possible. In a two-sided way. Both real.
Please do not forget this hard struggle to live by Dreaming
law on remote stations with cattle men as Boss. To date your
laws, which put cattle and money first, have been crushing the
People who carry out the Dreaming business for the country's
spirit. It time to lighten that load.
Do not forget your songline relatives.
PUT PEOPLE-AND-LIVING COUNTRIES FIRST
CATTLE-AND-LEASES SECOND.
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Prepared by B. Reyburn.
PO Box 257 Thirroul NSW