21/04/2021
My name is and I was born on Kaurna Country.
I am currently working in Natural Resource Management on Kaurna Country. Through my
work, I prioritise native Indigenous species of flora and fauna in an effort to conserve the
precious natural resources we have left, while also revegetating affected areas with the
Indigenous species who have lived on Kaurna country since the beginning of time.
This Country’s beauty and biodiversity is unmatched and it has been destroyed in the name
of ‘progress’ for too long. The destruction of indigenous species and prioritising of non-
native flora and fauna is a form of racism that has been perverse throughout our colonial
history and has harmed the country irreversibly. I believe strongly in the ‘Caring as Country’
method of NRM and believe that with a lot of hard work we can regain some of our natural
beauty.
I am ashamed of my country’s history of treatment of Indigenous people. I am also ashamed
and frustrated by the current behaviour and lack of action from people in positions of
power in relation to Indigenous issues.
People have been silenced and gaslit for the entire existence of ‘Australia’. Our country
cannot begin to heal while people in power continue to deny facts. This land was invaded,
not settled, it always has been and always will be Aboriginal land.
I agree strongly with these points and believe that it is one of many steps that Australia
must take if we are going to be a peaceful and prosperous nation in the future.
1. The Government must honour its election commitment to a referendum once a
model for the Voice has been settled to ensure that a First Nations Voice to
Parliament is protected by the Constitution;
2. Enabling legislation for the Voice must be passed after a referendum has been held
in the next term of Parliament; and
3. The membership model for the National Voice must ensure previously unheard
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have the same chance of being selected
as established leadership figures.
Kind Regards,
