Category: Aboriginal Australians

The Unruly Australian Senate

Commentary Senator Pauline Hanson has not been a stranger to controversy in her political career. In August 2017, she dressed in a burka as a means of focusing on the discrimination suffered by Islamic women in Australia. It generated a furious response by the then attorney-general, Senator George Brandis, who sharply rebuked Hanson’s action and…


Australia’s City Council Pushes to Remove Statue of Premier Over Mutilation of Aboriginal Man

The Hobart city council in Australia’s island state of Tasmania has suggested the statue of William Crowther in the city’s Franklin Square be removed, with plans for the partial removal and interpretation project costing $20,000 in total. Crowther was a surgeon, a naturalist, and the first medical practitioner to serve as Tasmanian Premier. However, he…


Hobart City Council Pushes to Remove Statue of State Leader Over Mutilation of Aboriginal Man

The Hobart City Council in Australia’s island state of Tasmania is proposing the statue of its first premier, William Crowther, in the city’s Franklin Square be removed—a move estimated to cost the council tens of thousands of dollars. Crowther was a surgeon, naturalist, and the first medical practitioner to serve as Tasmania’s state leader. He…


Virtue Signaling Won’t Solve Problems Faced by Indigenous Community: NT Senator

An Indigenous senator has called for an end to the “pointless virtue signaling” that she says does nothing to improve the lives of Indigenous Australians. In her maiden speech on July 28, newly-elected Northern Territory Senator Jacinta Price of the Country Liberal Party described Labor’s vow to enshrine a Voice to Parliament as a “virtuous…


A Voice for Whom?

Commentary The new Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, commenced his election victory speech by declaring: “On behalf of the Australian Labor Party, I commit to the Uluru Statement from the Heart in full.” This would involve a “First Nations Voice” entrenched in the Australian Constitution, consisting of a standing body to advice federal Parliament on…


Push to Fly Aboriginal Flag on Sydney’s Harbour Bridge a ‘Distraction’ From Real Issues: Indigenous Senator

An outspoken Indigenous senator has described the recent move to fly the Aboriginal flag permanently on Sydney Harbour Bridge as virtue signalling that distracts from real issues Indigenous Australians face. NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet initially proposed in June to invest $25 million in putting an additional pole atop the bridge but later decided to replace…


Should We Define An Indigenous Person?

Commentary The latest Australian census revealed that about five percent of our population (roughly 800,000) now identify as Aboriginal. This coincides with the ever-heightening profile of Indigenous affairs in public life and particularly in the mainstream media. At first sight, it suggests a burgeoning Indigenous culture is emerging within Australian society. This is accompanied by…


The Left’s Guilt Narrative Is Holding Australia Back, Says Indigenous Leader Warren Mundine

Left-leaning governments tend to adopt a negative approach toward Indigenous issues, which perpetuates a sense of guilt and could hinder Australia’s effort to move forward, says an Indigenous community leader. The comment comes amid controversy surrounding Greens leader Adam Bandt who had the Australian flag pushed aside but kept the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander…


Aussie PM ‘Surprised’ by Greens Leader’s Move to Sideline Australian Flag

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says he has told Adam Bandt to “reconsider” his position after the leader of the left-leaning Greens refused to stand in front of the Australian flag at his press conference. Prior to Bandt’s press conference in Sydney on Monday, a Greens staffer sidelined the Australian flag but left the Aboriginal…


Exaggeration of Colonial Trauma Leads to Victimhood: Indigenous Academic

An Indigenous academic has warned about the impact of overemphasising the “assumed trauma” brought about by colonisation when addressing Aboriginal issues at school, saying it will promote “a sense of victimhood” among Indigenous students. The comment comes about a week before the Victorian government implements its new school program which will require educational settings across…