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The panel: who should Indigenous Australians vote for? The panel: who should Indigenous Australians vote for?
(17 days later)
Celeste Liddle: I feel my vote won't make a differenceCeleste Liddle: I feel my vote won't make a difference
This election campaign has just reinforced to me that the Indigenous vote is of little importance to the major parties. The lack of diverse Indigenous policy and engagement has been notable and I am feeling quite uninspired by what has been presented.This election campaign has just reinforced to me that the Indigenous vote is of little importance to the major parties. The lack of diverse Indigenous policy and engagement has been notable and I am feeling quite uninspired by what has been presented.
Abbott positions himself as a friend of Indigenous people, whether it's through his community volunteer work, or his proposal to bring Indigenous affairs into the office of the prime minister. Trouble is, Abbott's volunteer work was for three days in the space of two years and cost taxpayers $45,000 in flights alone. Abbott wishes to assemble an "expert panel" of Indigenous people to advise him yet has given little thought to how we might wish to be represented to government. Also, Abbott's comments on "women cowering" and "men being a deadly threat" may have grated voters somewhat.Abbott positions himself as a friend of Indigenous people, whether it's through his community volunteer work, or his proposal to bring Indigenous affairs into the office of the prime minister. Trouble is, Abbott's volunteer work was for three days in the space of two years and cost taxpayers $45,000 in flights alone. Abbott wishes to assemble an "expert panel" of Indigenous people to advise him yet has given little thought to how we might wish to be represented to government. Also, Abbott's comments on "women cowering" and "men being a deadly threat" may have grated voters somewhat.
The ALP has their Close the Gap campaign, but what does this phrase actually mean? Why is this "gap" always linked to mainstream targets such as NAPLAN test scores and employment and rarely to community-negotiated targets? Like the Liberal party, the ALP's main focus is on remote areas and therefore neglects the 75% of Indigenous people who live in regional and urban areas. It's clear that gap-closing measures do not include access to higher education as the ALP's announced funding cuts to the sector are going to disproportionately affect Indigenous students. This is because higher rates of Indigenous students come from low SES backgrounds and require support services whilst at university.The ALP has their Close the Gap campaign, but what does this phrase actually mean? Why is this "gap" always linked to mainstream targets such as NAPLAN test scores and employment and rarely to community-negotiated targets? Like the Liberal party, the ALP's main focus is on remote areas and therefore neglects the 75% of Indigenous people who live in regional and urban areas. It's clear that gap-closing measures do not include access to higher education as the ALP's announced funding cuts to the sector are going to disproportionately affect Indigenous students. This is because higher rates of Indigenous students come from low SES backgrounds and require support services whilst at university.
I am heartened that there are Indigenous candidates running for other parties in the Northern Territory who have been strong in promoting alternative views. These include Senate candidates Warren H Williams for the Greens and Rosalie Kunoth-Monks for the First Nations' Political party. As the NT election last year proved, Indigenous votes do have power in the Territory, but in other states and territories this is not the case and we are therefore deprived of diverse political opinion.I am heartened that there are Indigenous candidates running for other parties in the Northern Territory who have been strong in promoting alternative views. These include Senate candidates Warren H Williams for the Greens and Rosalie Kunoth-Monks for the First Nations' Political party. As the NT election last year proved, Indigenous votes do have power in the Territory, but in other states and territories this is not the case and we are therefore deprived of diverse political opinion.
This is the first time in my life where I have felt that my vote is not going to make a difference, and that's not a nice place to be in.This is the first time in my life where I have felt that my vote is not going to make a difference, and that's not a nice place to be in.
• Celeste is an Arrernte Australian woman living in Melbourne. She is the current national Indigenous organiser for the NTEU• Celeste is an Arrernte Australian woman living in Melbourne. She is the current national Indigenous organiser for the NTEU
Kelly Briggs: I will vote for the GreensKelly Briggs: I will vote for the Greens
I will not be voting for Liberal, because you cannot appoint a kind of "One Aboriginal to rule them all" approach to Indigenous affairs and not expect any blow back. In my mind this brings back memories of my aunties telling me about the gorgets fashioned for perceived clan leaders by the British government in the early 1800s. Indigenous communities do not operate under that kind of fabric. I have no faith in Noel Pearson's vision of ignoring the structural issues of Indigenous disadvantage, to paint a picture of Indigenous middle class happiness. I would go so far as to liken it to the failed Assimilation Act which further helped destroy Indigenous culture and families through the Stolen Generations and has added to the current feeling of identity loss felt by many Indigenous Australians.I will not be voting for Liberal, because you cannot appoint a kind of "One Aboriginal to rule them all" approach to Indigenous affairs and not expect any blow back. In my mind this brings back memories of my aunties telling me about the gorgets fashioned for perceived clan leaders by the British government in the early 1800s. Indigenous communities do not operate under that kind of fabric. I have no faith in Noel Pearson's vision of ignoring the structural issues of Indigenous disadvantage, to paint a picture of Indigenous middle class happiness. I would go so far as to liken it to the failed Assimilation Act which further helped destroy Indigenous culture and families through the Stolen Generations and has added to the current feeling of identity loss felt by many Indigenous Australians.
Labor have lost my support. They've become Liberal in all but name. There is nothing that separates them on Indigenous issues. The failure of the Labor Government to abolish the NT intervention was an incredibly hard blow to a lot of Indigenous Australians. And its expansion (albeit under a shiny new name: Stronger Futures) into parts of NSW and QLD is absolutely horrendous. It smacks of paternalism and is dragging us backwards in time. Labor, through Macklin, have also expressed their belief in Pearson's plan, another blow to a growing list of issues influencing disengagement.Labor have lost my support. They've become Liberal in all but name. There is nothing that separates them on Indigenous issues. The failure of the Labor Government to abolish the NT intervention was an incredibly hard blow to a lot of Indigenous Australians. And its expansion (albeit under a shiny new name: Stronger Futures) into parts of NSW and QLD is absolutely horrendous. It smacks of paternalism and is dragging us backwards in time. Labor, through Macklin, have also expressed their belief in Pearson's plan, another blow to a growing list of issues influencing disengagement.
And to further illustrate just how similar the big two parties are regarding Indigenous issues, there is bipartisan support for constitutional recognition. It's a highly symbolic act, which changes absolutely nothing in the lives of Indigenous people. I long for the days of Paul Keating, who was solid as a rock on Indigenous issues and at least entertained the ideas of a full and proper treaty.

This year I will be voting for the Greens – who have stated they are against the intervention, will do all they can to reverse it, and abide by the terms set out in the UN declaration of the rights of Indigenous people. For me, choosing where my vote goes this election was a no brainer.		And to further illustrate just how similar the big two parties are regarding Indigenous issues, there is bipartisan support for constitutional recognition. It's a highly symbolic act, which changes absolutely nothing in the lives of Indigenous people. I long for the days of Paul Keating, who was solid as a rock on Indigenous issues and at least entertained the ideas of a full and proper treaty.

This year I will be voting for the Greens – who have stated they are against the intervention, will do all they can to reverse it, and abide by the terms set out in the UN declaration of the rights of Indigenous people. For me, choosing where my vote goes this election was a no brainer.
• Kelly Briggs is a Gamilaroi writer living in rural NSW• Kelly Briggs is a Gamilaroi writer living in rural NSW
Philip Morrissey: Abbott is something of an outlierPhilip Morrissey: Abbott is something of an outlier
Abbott has declared that if elected as prime minister, he will be a "prime minister for Aboriginal affairs", and the Aboriginal affairs portfolio will be moved to the department of prime minister and cabinet. Abbott is something of an outlier – his radicalism and passion for Indigenous issues sitting oddly with the indifference or ignorance of most of his colleagues.Abbott has declared that if elected as prime minister, he will be a "prime minister for Aboriginal affairs", and the Aboriginal affairs portfolio will be moved to the department of prime minister and cabinet. Abbott is something of an outlier – his radicalism and passion for Indigenous issues sitting oddly with the indifference or ignorance of most of his colleagues.
Abbott has also been surprisingly astute and respectful in defining his own commitment to Aboriginal affairs in contrast to former prime minister John Howard's grafting resistance and hostility. He has also acknowledged the ALP's achievements in this area. The Coalition's proposed appointment of Aboriginal conservative Warren Mundine as chair of Indigenous Advisory Council, with guaranteed monthly meetings with the prime minister and the Aboriginal affairs portfolio minister, may introduce a reality principle when it comes to expectations of effective program delivery by Federal government departments. Mundine and other Aboriginal conservatives have been scathing in their criticism of perceived policy and program failure in Aboriginal affairs since the 1970s.Abbott has also been surprisingly astute and respectful in defining his own commitment to Aboriginal affairs in contrast to former prime minister John Howard's grafting resistance and hostility. He has also acknowledged the ALP's achievements in this area. The Coalition's proposed appointment of Aboriginal conservative Warren Mundine as chair of Indigenous Advisory Council, with guaranteed monthly meetings with the prime minister and the Aboriginal affairs portfolio minister, may introduce a reality principle when it comes to expectations of effective program delivery by Federal government departments. Mundine and other Aboriginal conservatives have been scathing in their criticism of perceived policy and program failure in Aboriginal affairs since the 1970s.
Were the Coalition to take office I would expect that the acrimonious debate between the left and right on Aboriginal issues will become more polarised with an already influential group of conservative Aboriginal leaders becoming even more central and powerful in its alliance with the corporate sector and government. The potentially negative effect that this will have on intellectual freedom, and the possibilities for alternative policy development, remains to be seen. In the longer term the engagement of the corporate sector with Aboriginal communities, and in particular Aboriginal youth, will have far-reaching consequences on Aboriginal social and political identity.Were the Coalition to take office I would expect that the acrimonious debate between the left and right on Aboriginal issues will become more polarised with an already influential group of conservative Aboriginal leaders becoming even more central and powerful in its alliance with the corporate sector and government. The potentially negative effect that this will have on intellectual freedom, and the possibilities for alternative policy development, remains to be seen. In the longer term the engagement of the corporate sector with Aboriginal communities, and in particular Aboriginal youth, will have far-reaching consequences on Aboriginal social and political identity.
In contrast the ALP's policies, with generic ministers looking after the Aboriginal affairs portfolio, have an air of predictability and compromise. For some, this predictability may be a welcome alternative to Abbott's radicalism and its uncertain outcomes.In contrast the ALP's policies, with generic ministers looking after the Aboriginal affairs portfolio, have an air of predictability and compromise. For some, this predictability may be a welcome alternative to Abbott's radicalism and its uncertain outcomes.
• Philip Morrissey is the academic coordinator of the Faculty of Arts Australian Indigenous Studies program at the University of Melbourne• Philip Morrissey is the academic coordinator of the Faculty of Arts Australian Indigenous Studies program at the University of Melbourne
Benjamin Gertz: The ALP has the better Indigenous policy platformBenjamin Gertz: The ALP has the better Indigenous policy platform
When it comes to Indigenous policy, both the ALP and the Liberal party have seemingly adopted a "me too" style of endorsing policy. From constitutional recognition to the recycled Indigenous Advisory council, there appears to be very little difference or perceived lack of disagreement between the two parties on Indigenous policy, a rare standard of bipartisanship which is unusual, given the current political climate.When it comes to Indigenous policy, both the ALP and the Liberal party have seemingly adopted a "me too" style of endorsing policy. From constitutional recognition to the recycled Indigenous Advisory council, there appears to be very little difference or perceived lack of disagreement between the two parties on Indigenous policy, a rare standard of bipartisanship which is unusual, given the current political climate.
Despite this, while I do concede as an individual that there are specific pieces of policy in which I do not support (namely Stronger Futures), I believe the ALP has the better Indigenous policy platform leading up to the federal election and I endorse it wholeheartedly. I will also concede that my endorsement isn't exactly unbiased either, as I proudly call myself a member of the Queensland branch of the ALP.Despite this, while I do concede as an individual that there are specific pieces of policy in which I do not support (namely Stronger Futures), I believe the ALP has the better Indigenous policy platform leading up to the federal election and I endorse it wholeheartedly. I will also concede that my endorsement isn't exactly unbiased either, as I proudly call myself a member of the Queensland branch of the ALP.
While I come from a family of Labor supporters, one the larger factors swaying me towards joining the ALP back in 2007 was Labor's strong history in championing Indigenous affairs policy. Whether it was Whitlam and the creation of the department of Aboriginal affairs, or the handing over of Wave Hill station, to Keating and the Redfern address, and more recently, Rudd's apology to name a few, it's not hard to see why Labor has traditionally enjoyed strong support from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.While I come from a family of Labor supporters, one the larger factors swaying me towards joining the ALP back in 2007 was Labor's strong history in championing Indigenous affairs policy. Whether it was Whitlam and the creation of the department of Aboriginal affairs, or the handing over of Wave Hill station, to Keating and the Redfern address, and more recently, Rudd's apology to name a few, it's not hard to see why Labor has traditionally enjoyed strong support from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
It appears that Labor continues to champion Indigenous affairs, with both then prime minister Gillard and Rudd being very strong advocates in favour of Constitutional recognition, as well as prime minister Rudd's continued focus on achieving the Close the Gap targets set in 2008, especially in regards to health and education. The recently announced Gonski reforms will tie in nicely with targets aimed at halving the gap in literacy and numeracy and year 12 completion, as well as significantly increase education funding to Indigenous communities, especially those in Northern Australia.It appears that Labor continues to champion Indigenous affairs, with both then prime minister Gillard and Rudd being very strong advocates in favour of Constitutional recognition, as well as prime minister Rudd's continued focus on achieving the Close the Gap targets set in 2008, especially in regards to health and education. The recently announced Gonski reforms will tie in nicely with targets aimed at halving the gap in literacy and numeracy and year 12 completion, as well as significantly increase education funding to Indigenous communities, especially those in Northern Australia.
Labor's Indigenous policy commitments appear to be pragmatic and achievable. This is in contrast to the populism and ambiguity of coalition specific policy announcements, such as the "consideration" of tailored governance processes, a policy which sounds like a casualty of the usual coalition tactic of having a policy to develop a policy after the election with little detail to scrutinise beforehand. While there is more to be done on both sides, one thing is for certain, Indigenous affairs is on everyone's radar this election, and what will come of it?Labor's Indigenous policy commitments appear to be pragmatic and achievable. This is in contrast to the populism and ambiguity of coalition specific policy announcements, such as the "consideration" of tailored governance processes, a policy which sounds like a casualty of the usual coalition tactic of having a policy to develop a policy after the election with little detail to scrutinise beforehand. While there is more to be done on both sides, one thing is for certain, Indigenous affairs is on everyone's radar this election, and what will come of it?
Guess we will have to wait until after 7 September and find out.Guess we will have to wait until after 7 September and find out.
• Benjamin Gertz is a young indigenous advocate based in Townsville. He is a descendent of the Gugu-Badhun and Ndgjan-ji people• Benjamin Gertz is a young indigenous advocate based in Townsville. He is a descendent of the Gugu-Badhun and Ndgjan-ji people
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