IT IS being called ‘The Voice’ but in fact it is a multi-tiered structure with, as its foundation, the Australian Aborigine, every one of whom is an Australian citizen and all, over the age of 18, are eligible to vote at local, state and federal level.
In addition, for representation on official matters, there are 30 land councils and 2700 Aboriginal corporations pleading their cause.
At federal level there is the Reconciliation Action Plan, funded by the federal government, BHP Foundation, corporate sponsors and private donations.
Their headquarters are in Canberra and the salary of the CEO is $180,000 annually, plus superannuation.
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This Plan has five core pillars:
1. Race relations, building two-way relationships, based on trust and respect.
2. Equality and equity.
3. Institutional integrity.
4. Unity.
5. Historical acceptance.
It is interesting to note that Rio Tinto’s Plan was revoked after their mishandling of the Juukan Gorge fiasco.
Bit players in this drama are Dame Nature, a mythical creature of Western culture, held responsible for ‘fire and flood and famine, for drought and flooding rains’.
The opposite number is the Wagyl, equally mythical, reputed to be the custodian of water.
The Wagyl is supported by Planning, Lands Heritage, a State Government initiative whose powers can override freehold land title.
It all adds up to a chorus of conflict, not seen to be remedied by yet more legislation.
Geoff Brown
Jurien Bay
