Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has endorsed telling the truth about historical and current Indigenous experiences of colonisation in Australia but stopped short of committing to establishing a commission to facilitate the process. Source: The Guardian.
Speaking on ABC TV’s Insiders program at the Garma festival in Arnhem Land, Mr Albanese suggested consulting Indigenous organisations on ways to better address Indigenous disadvantage and boost economic development in their communities fits the definition of the Yolŋgu word “makarrata” – coming together after struggle.
“Obviously, there has been a struggle for First Nations people,” Mr Albanese said.
“That’s why we talk about closing the gap, or what is really a chasm in some areas. And coming together is a principle of walking together – that engagement. It’s not a moment in time. It’s a process of coming together after struggle.”
Makarrata is one of three key ambitions of the Uluru statement from the heart, alongside a constitutionally enshrined Indigenous Voice to Parliament – rejected in a referendum last year – and a treaty or treaties.
The Prime Minister defended taking time to consult on next steps – what leaders at Garma have called a “deafening silence” from Government in the 10 months since the referendum – because feelings were still “raw” and people needed time to process the result.
Mr Albanese’s interpretation of the concept of makarrata appears to differ from the one Indigenous leaders have promoted, involving the establishment of a commission to oversee a formal process of airing truths about relations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians and their real-world impact.
Mr Albanese also declined to commit to pursuing the third ambition of the Uluru statement – treaty-making – at the national level, pointing instead to the processes underway in the states and territories, which he said he supports.
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Albanese endorses ‘principle’ of makarrata but stops short of backing truth and justice commission (By Karen Middleton, The Guardian)
