At this moment, you cannot be a Great Prime Minister without signing “the Statement”. You can be good, but not great.
While many around the world are recognising that systemic racism is real, I am hearing some say there is no systemic racism here not in Australia.
The fact is, our leadership is lacking when it comes to race relations. We see the discord in America, but at least they have a treaty with several Indian tribes.
There is no treaty between white Australia and Aboriginal Australians. Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott just was awarded a Companion of Australia by the Queen for services to the Indigenous community, but he did not sign a Treaty. Our current Prime Minister Scott Morrison can be bold and say “Yes Australia, black lives matter.” He can state his support for the Uluru Statement from the Heart, get a pen and sign a treaty. But of course, the Australian press (which is possibly +90% white) will pillage him.
Don’t get me wrong – I love this country. I think how we live is pretty amazing in Australia. However, I believe it can be much better. How? It is complex, but let’s start by doing something simple – let’s learn from the past. Let us recognise the pain of the past, the role of Government in fostering systemic racism through legislation such as the Western Australian Aborigines Act of 1905…you know the Act that some believe was aimed at eradicating Aboriginal people…and culture. That sad piece of legislation screwed up people’s lives…both black and white for generations. We still see the impact today.
So, let’s get serious. Let’s stop playing around. Let’s get this treaty done. Let’s support the Uluru Statement from the Heart. Let’s remember that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders who were once considered fauna and flora, and not human beings. Let us also celebrate that the first Australians are still here after over 65,000 years. Resilient. One of the great cultures on Earth. Australians. We have to own our past. By owning our past, learning from it. It is good to know. We need to know our past. It is not something to be afraid of. It helps us be stronger as a nation. Stronger as a society.
Over to you Prime Minister Morrison. I think you are a good Prime Minister. I want you to be a great Prime Minister. I want history to consider you one of the greats. The Prime Minister that supports “the Statement” and signs that treaty – in a way that unites this great country – will be remembered for as long as there is an Australia. You can do this. The question we want to know is…Will you?
If not the Hon. Prime Minister Scott Morrison, then which Prime Minister will history bestow as the great one?
To read the Uluru Statement from the Heart, follow the link below:
Being Arthur 