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Tony Abbott goes bush for talks with Indigenous leaders Tony Abbott goes bush for talks with Indigenous leaders
(35 minutes later)
The US president has Camp David, the country retreat used to rejuvenate world leaders and negotiate peace accords.The US president has Camp David, the country retreat used to rejuvenate world leaders and negotiate peace accords.
The Australian prime minister, this week at least, has Camp Tony, in north-east Arnhem Land, home of the Yolngu people.The Australian prime minister, this week at least, has Camp Tony, in north-east Arnhem Land, home of the Yolngu people.
“For an entire week Aboriginal people will have my full focus and attention as prime minister,” Abbott stated in June.“For an entire week Aboriginal people will have my full focus and attention as prime minister,” Abbott stated in June.
Here, the business of government is being carried out on an Indigenous festival site in rows of green army tents and a central meeting block called the Garma Knowledge Centre.Here, the business of government is being carried out on an Indigenous festival site in rows of green army tents and a central meeting block called the Garma Knowledge Centre.
By the number of tents, Abbott has brought a fair swag of his department to the site, which is a 15-hour drive from Darwin – more in the wet season.By the number of tents, Abbott has brought a fair swag of his department to the site, which is a 15-hour drive from Darwin – more in the wet season.
As debate rages over Australia’s involvement in the Iraq conflict, Abbott shrugs off criticism at moving from Canberra to the Northern Territory.As debate rages over Australia’s involvement in the Iraq conflict, Abbott shrugs off criticism at moving from Canberra to the Northern Territory.
“This a remote place but in its own way it’s the heart of our country,” Abbott said. “This is a remote place but in its own way it’s the heart of our country,” Abbott said.
“It’s important that government is aware of not just what happens in Canberra and Sydney and Melbourne and along the coast of New South Wales and Queensland; it’s important government has a good handle on what happens in remote Australia.“It’s important that government is aware of not just what happens in Canberra and Sydney and Melbourne and along the coast of New South Wales and Queensland; it’s important government has a good handle on what happens in remote Australia.
“Thanks to the wonders of modern communication it’s possible for national leaders to be here in east Arnhem Land and still very much be in touch with the wider world.”“Thanks to the wonders of modern communication it’s possible for national leaders to be here in east Arnhem Land and still very much be in touch with the wider world.”
As if to press the point, Abbott invited the media into the first eight seconds of his first teleconference with incoming head of the Australian Security and Intelligence Organisation, Duncan Lewis.As if to press the point, Abbott invited the media into the first eight seconds of his first teleconference with incoming head of the Australian Security and Intelligence Organisation, Duncan Lewis.
But most of his first full day in the region was a series of photo opportunities based around the Yolngu people’s Gumatj Corporation business ventures.But most of his first full day in the region was a series of photo opportunities based around the Yolngu people’s Gumatj Corporation business ventures.
The locations included an exploratory drilling site and a cattle station. Abbott was also shown the felling of stringybark trees for milling and the planting of new, more economically viable species such as sandalwood and mahogany.The locations included an exploratory drilling site and a cattle station. Abbott was also shown the felling of stringybark trees for milling and the planting of new, more economically viable species such as sandalwood and mahogany.
More ministers are expected to visit during the week as well as Indigenous leader Noel Pearson, the chairman of the Cape York Partnership, who has been a significant influence on Abbott’s approach to Indigenous affairs.More ministers are expected to visit during the week as well as Indigenous leader Noel Pearson, the chairman of the Cape York Partnership, who has been a significant influence on Abbott’s approach to Indigenous affairs.
Abbott is meeting with Indigenous leaders to discuss the timeframe for constitutional recognition of Indigenous people.Abbott is meeting with Indigenous leaders to discuss the timeframe for constitutional recognition of Indigenous people.
Pearson’s latest Quarterly Essay, A Rightful Place, argues that both progressives and conservatives will have to give ground in order to achieve progress for Indigenous people through the constitutional change.Pearson’s latest Quarterly Essay, A Rightful Place, argues that both progressives and conservatives will have to give ground in order to achieve progress for Indigenous people through the constitutional change.
Pearson argues Indigenous leaders who want to make substantial changes to the constitution to protect against racial discrimination should give up that battle in order to win over conservatives.Pearson argues Indigenous leaders who want to make substantial changes to the constitution to protect against racial discrimination should give up that battle in order to win over conservatives.
On Monday, Abbott again quoted Pearson – who will arrive in Arnhem Land on Wednesday – to justify dragging Indigenous leaders back towards a more conservative position on the referendum.On Monday, Abbott again quoted Pearson – who will arrive in Arnhem Land on Wednesday – to justify dragging Indigenous leaders back towards a more conservative position on the referendum.
“The last thing anybody would want with a proposal of this nature is to have it defeated, or very narrowly carried, after an acrimonious debate,” Abbott said.“The last thing anybody would want with a proposal of this nature is to have it defeated, or very narrowly carried, after an acrimonious debate,” Abbott said.
“This is about Australia’s fundamental identity. It’s about reconciling Australians to the reality of our country. It’s about assimilating our past properly – all of our past – the bad as well as the good, coming to terms with it and moving forward as one united people.“This is about Australia’s fundamental identity. It’s about reconciling Australians to the reality of our country. It’s about assimilating our past properly – all of our past – the bad as well as the good, coming to terms with it and moving forward as one united people.
“To use Noel Pearson’s terms, with Indigenous heritage, a British foundation and a multicultural character, these are the three foundational elements, if you like, in modern Australia.“To use Noel Pearson’s terms, with Indigenous heritage, a British foundation and a multicultural character, these are the three foundational elements, if you like, in modern Australia.
“It is my hope that whatever we settle on can reflect that and bring us together with hope and optimism for the future.”“It is my hope that whatever we settle on can reflect that and bring us together with hope and optimism for the future.”
The prime minister will remain in Arnhem Land until Friday.The prime minister will remain in Arnhem Land until Friday.