The Editor,
Good on Geoffrey Yeo for unpacking so succinctly in his letter to The Phoenix, some of the complex issues affecting the referendum on The Voice to Parliament. Until I recently read two books, I had been unable to get a clear understanding of the meaning of “the voice to parliament”, the referendum and “treaty”. I had felt compelled for perhaps moral reasons to vote yes in the forthcoming referendum. Politicians, aboriginal leaders, academics and the media generally seemed only to make vague statements which were little or no help in deciding objectively, which way to vote.
Don Watson, a journalist, academic and occasional speech writer for former prime minister Paul Keating wrote a book “The Passion of Private White”, about his mate from uni days Neville White, a screwed up Vietnam veteran but also with a PhD in genetics and other degrees. Post Vietnam White became obsessed with aboriginal affairs and for at least three decades he spent much of his life living in remote communities in Arnhem Land, learning their customs, tribal and clan lore, several languages and ultimately was appointed a tribal elder. He became convinced that once the last aborigines ceased being nomadic hunter gatherers, becoming increasingly dependent on welfare, beer, cigarettes, kava, other drugs and a very poor diet, their special connection to “country” was lost forever.
Gary Johns was a minister in the Keating government. He published a book only last year, “The Burden of Culture”. He speaks of “the Aboriginal industry”, a term best explained in the dedication at the front of the book, “To Aboriginal children who are trapped by the dreams and careers of an Aboriginal elite and their promoters”. Johns says, “They aim to isolate their captives more than 230 years after the rest of the world discovered Australia and changed it forever. This is a cruel neo-colonial endeavour, but without the payoff of a better life. The industry hides the bigger truth- that most Aboriginals have integrated into the wider society and are doing well, if belatedly”.
For the minority of Aboriginals still living at the margin in remote communities, definitely needing the nation’s utmost attention, there will be nothing to be gained, nothing to improve their lot in life through a yes vote in this referendum. Indeed it could make things even worse for them. I’ll be voting no.
Richard Statham