Steadfast supporters of the Uluru Statement from the Heart plan “new messaging” about the intent of the landmark document. Source: The Australian.
Uluru Dialogue co-chair Pat Anderson is among Indigenous leaders who believe the spirit of the Uluru Statement was lost in political debate over its call for a constitutionally enshrined Indigenous advisory body or Voice.
Ms Anderson and others intend to press on with a campaign for constitutional recognition in some form and for a Makarrata commission to supervise agreement-making and truth-telling.
That commission, as described in the Uluru Statement, was to be the next step after the Voice. At an address to supporters in Newcastle yesterday, Ms Anderson said: “I worry that we will see the Makarrata baby thrown out with the referendum bathwater.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s remarks at the weekend about Makarrata have been widely interpreted as the end of Labor’s commitment to a Makarrata commission.
“In case you missed it, the PM on Sunday seemed to walk back his support for the Makarrata commission,” Ms Anderson said in her address to Allies for Uluru.
(But) the establishment of Makarrata was an election promise. And it is much more than a get-together. The Makarrata called for in the Uluru Statement is a bricks-and-mortar body, of historic stature.”
Uluru Dialogue has been researching the No vote and reasons for it. The women-led campaign intends to share this research in future.
In the meantime, Ms Anderson said, the campaign is working with supporters “making sure these other Indigenous reforms remain at the centre of the national conversation”.
“We need to resurface the spirit of the Uluru Statement from the Heart. It was lost in the political debate. This message of peace and hope was completely drowned out by polarised rhetoric. Misunderstood. And even worse, misrepresented by those seeking personal or political gain,” she said.
FULLS TORY
Indigenous fears for Makarrata commission (By Paige Taylor, The Australian)
