14/09/14: ABBOTT SETS UP BUSH OFFICE IN OUTBACK PRIME Minister Tony Abbott has arrived in deepest Arnhem Land on an unparalleled mission to consult Aboriginal leaders as he makes plans to take on the Islamic State while living in a tent at a remote bush camp. The Prime Minister’s trip, a pre-election commitment to better engage with Aboriginal society, will see Mr Abbott spend the week listening to the concerns of Aboriginal elders in one of the most culturally active corners of Australia. Mr Abbott will have full access to secure communications at the camp south of Nhulunbuy, as 600 Australian military begin relocating to the United Arab Emirates in preparation for possible air strikes against IS fighters. Members of the Rirratjingu clan, led by Yothu Yindi band co-founder Wityana Marika, welcomed Mr Abbott to the community of Yirrkala by performing the Djan’kawu creation story, a dance that follows the movements of an incoming tide. Mr Abbott then travelled south to a campsite on the land of Gumatj clan leader, Galarrwuy Yunupingu, the tribal leader who invited Mr Abbott to his country. While recognition for Aborigines in the Constitution will inform some of the talks, Arnhem Land people are intent on impressing on Mr Abbott that they want 99-year township leases in order to open up economic opportunity in the north. Rirratjingu clan leader Bakamumu Marika blames the Northern Land Council — which was formed to represent the interests of traditional owners — for failing to respond to its wishes to have a 99-year lease put over the township of Yirrkala. Mr Yunupingu has also supported a similar lease for his community at Ski Beach. with As it stands, banks will not bankroll businesses such as shops and petrol stations in Aboriginal towns because the underlying land tenure means they cannot call assets in if businesses go bad. By creating 99-year leases, town assets could be bought, sold and traded. The NLC is strongly opposed to the leases, seeing them as a loss of tribal land. But Aborigines in this region now see it as the only way to get their stifled economies moving. “We want to talk to the Prime Minister and get him to fix this,” said Rirratjingu clan leader Bakamumu Marika. “The land council has been obstructive. If he can deal with ISIS, he can deal with the NLC.” The issue of how welfare has failed to improve the lives of Aboriginal people is another likely talking point, with national indigenous figures Warren Mundine and Noel Pearson expected to join Mr Abbott at the campsite, located where the annual Garma Festival is held. The issue of a holding referendum to acknowledge Aborigines in the Constitution and removes discriminatory passages is seen as important by clan leaders, but there are doubts a referendum can realistically be held before 2017. This would mean a referendum was held in a second Abbott term. Part of the problem is the Australian public is thought to be insufficiently aware of the issues, which are increasingly becoming politicised as some Aboriginal factions argue the referendum should also include a treaty or a charter of rights. The government does not favour such measures, but would consider it a disaster if a vote was held and Australians voted against constitutional recognition, which it considers overdue. PM’s visit ... Tony Abbott at the welcome to country ceremony in Yirrkala. Picture: Jack
Posted on: Sun, 14 Sep 2014 13:30:07 +0000
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