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The “yes” vote in Australia

(158 Posts)
Whitewavemark2 Wed 13-Sept-23 08:21:14

I am interested in any Australian posters and their thought on the yes vote.

I’ve read a bit about it and listened to TRIP which featured it this week.

The vote is about the indigenous population choosing 24 representatives to be able to allow their voices to be heard at national level.

My initial thoughts are “why not?” Given the fact that they only represent 3% of the total population in Australia, and on every single measure have the worst outcomes, from health to education to employment etc.

I suspect that their voices are always drowned out as a result of almost certainly there being a tiny minority (if any) returned to parliament. It can only be a good thing to have a vehicle through which your voice can be heard.

maddyone Thu 14-Sept-23 17:18:33

In regards to calligraphy us colonisers I also find that offensive……

That’s because it is offensive Jumblygran and I apologise for the use of language that is offensive to you.

Jumblygran Thu 14-Sept-23 17:23:00

Thank you for the link EmilyHarburn, I was pleased to see the power of veto mentioned.

Jumblygran Thu 14-Sept-23 17:30:10

Maddyone I wasn’t specifically getting at you, apologies if it seemed so.

maddyone Thu 14-Sept-23 17:40:36

Oh I didn’t think you were because I object to that word too. I was issuing a general apology. No worries.

My daughter and three grandchildren live in New Zealand at the moment. We’ll be out again at the end of December till mid February. She lives in Christchurch and we do all the childcare through the school holidays.

maddyone Thu 14-Sept-23 17:42:02

calligraphy

Where did that come from? 😂😂😂😂

Philippa111 Thu 14-Sept-23 17:46:38

Some people seem to easily forget that the Aboriginal people are just that... the original people of Australia. They have been severely abused and traumatised. That's why they drink and apparently 'don't care'. It's trans-generational wounding and trauma that is perpetuated . They need a voice and more than that they deserve respect. They are a wise nation.

I have had the honour of spending quality time with some Aboriginal women artists who were visiting the UK. They are distressed that many of their people have committed suicide and have problems with alcohol because of the way they were treated and are still to some extent treated by the (white) invaders who understood nothing, and didn't want to know, of their deep and spiritual relationship with their land.

Someone mentioned that the country is now 'successful and rich'. But is whose terms are we speaking? The Aboriginal people were successful and lead very rich lives, that mattered to them, long before they were abused by the ignorant and self serving incomers.

Fleurpepper Thu 14-Sept-23 17:50:12

Thank you Phillipa. Same for Indians in the USA, and other tribes all around the world. Abuse, trauma, lost of identity and respect, and so much more. And as said above, the belief of the colonisers that they, the original inhabitants, are supposed to adjust and adapt to their values, at the same time as losing all they have.

Callistemon21 Thu 14-Sept-23 18:06:37

They should be given a voice. I have a sister and son in Australia with their families

It's interesting, though, that Aboriginal leaders themselves do not agree on whether or not this referendum and the proposals are a good idea as I mentioned earlier.

Are your sister, son and families Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders, EmilyHarburn? Or do they have friends and neighbours who are?
There is much discussion and disagreement on the right way forward in Australia at present.
From your post it sounds as if there is at present no representation in Parliament and that activists such as Noel Pearson have been silenced until now.
That is not the case. I know he is an advocate for the referendum but I wonder if the outcome will be favourable.
The problem is that, if the referendum result is negative, other strides forward could be abandoned.

Successive governments don't seem to have got this right for anyone.

Callistemon21 Thu 14-Sept-23 18:10:21

their deep and spiritual relationship with their land
Thank goodness there is now more being learnt about this, more respect for the original way of life and an understanding of what we can all learn from the ancient knowledge being passed down the generations.

paddyann54 Thu 14-Sept-23 19:21:18

The problem is akin to Stockholm syndrom there will always be people who form relationships with the "invaders" we have it here,Unionists who see nothing wrong with the inequality in numbers or language of English parliamentarians in WM against the ELECTED Scottish ones.Really offensive things they think are funny that the "speaker" never seems to hear .
Penny Mordaunts speaking of Scotland and Wales as " the territories,The Fraser woman who wants Scots exported as slaves "like they did in the past .The comments from Lisa Nandy who thinks Scots who favour Independence should be treated the way Spain treated the Catalans with truncheons and kicks. Then there's the eegits on the tory benches who shouted at Ian Blackford to "fuck off back to Skye" But hey thats not colonialism..is it? Thats just banter from ignorant self important imperialists who think they have rights over the rest of the world.They need to learn, as some on here do too, that the Empire is long dead and the indiginous people shouldn't NEED to integrate in THEIR countries thats up to the immigrants /colonialits to do.
Britain aka England aka the UK is no longer a world power and it should realise that ,The indiginous Americans and Aborigines have a lot of grievances built over centuries ,like much of the world against the white men who raped and pillaged and stole their wealth ...and people complain about them getting some kind of reparation or compensation .

Callistemon21 Thu 14-Sept-23 20:23:17

Good grief!

I am a quarter Welsh 😁
Am I counted as a native or a colonist?

Britain aka England aka the UK is no longer a world power
What has that comment got to do with the decision Government of Australia to hold a referendum? 🤔

Should no-one migrate at all?
Should the Aboriginal peoples not have left Africa and travelled to Australia?
Should we not have travelled north to Europe all those thousands of years ago?

Some people never ove further from their village, others explore the word. Takes all sorts.

Callistemon21 Thu 14-Sept-23 20:24:02

Excuse typos, I am just 🤔😁

SueDonim Thu 14-Sept-23 20:42:38

Thank goodness no Scotsman ever raped or pillaged or stole anyone’s wealth, eh, *Callistemon! 🤣

GrannyGravy13 Thu 14-Sept-23 20:51:04

A quick google search shows that the U.K. has been invaded at least 70 times, not including minor invasions in the south east, much pillaging etc. was involved…

Jannicans Thu 14-Sept-23 20:55:49

I will vote NO.

paddyann54 Thu 14-Sept-23 21:37:25

x.com/D4444Syd/status/1688449297421848576?s=20

Daniel Defoe on Scots at Westminster ! Says it ll and NOTHING has changed

Callistemon21 Thu 14-Sept-23 22:01:08

SueDonim

Thank goodness no Scotsman ever raped or pillaged or stole anyone’s wealth, eh, *Callistemon! 🤣

Yes, thank goodness, it was just the dastardly English which is why nowhere in the 'colonies' (sic) has a Scottish or Welsh name 😂😂😂

Callistemon21 Thu 14-Sept-23 22:06:59

Jannicans

I will vote NO.

I think many will, Jannicans which is why many are in disagreement about this referendum.

What is wrong with appointing specialised Government advisers to present the problems and advise the Government on the best way forward for different communities?

maddyone Thu 14-Sept-23 22:36:29

I’m a quarter Welsh too Callistemon.

Maybe we’re cousins.

Callistemon21 Thu 14-Sept-23 22:41:53

maddyone

I’m a quarter Welsh too Callistemon.

Maybe we’re cousins.

I'm sure we're all related, surprising who you find when you research the family history which is not an easy task in Wales!

Oreo Thu 14-Sept-23 22:44:03

Just read all the comments on this thread and what sticks out a mile is that the posters who know nothing about Australia or this proposal are all shouting their condemnation of so called colonisers and praising the Voices proposal.🤣You gotta laugh!
It’s their referendum and they are the ones who’ll decide based on actual knowledge of what goes on in their country.
There’s even a ScotNat rant about England thrown in for good measure.

maddyone Thu 14-Sept-23 22:44:44

Seriously some people need to learn about the people who have gone to live in Australia. Over the many years British, Chinese, African, European, and American people have emigrated to Australia. Australia, much like America, has people living there from just about every country in the world. The so called colonisation of Australia is not down merely to the British, and is certainly not down to anyone who is alive today. This has happened and it can’t be undone. It’s got nothing to do with those of us who are not Australian and they will decide for themselves what their future will be. It’s none of our business.

maddyone Thu 14-Sept-23 22:46:01

Good post Oreo.

Rosie51 Thu 14-Sept-23 22:50:17

Aren't most of us mongrels to a larger or lesser extent? DH has done research on our family trees, and I have English, Irish, Danish, German and Welsh ancestry for sure. Having surnames of Smith, Brown and Jones in amongst those really didn't make it easy lol.

Rosie51 Thu 14-Sept-23 22:51:23

That was to maddyone and * Callistemon*