The Australian Human Rights Commission has launched the National Anti-Racism Framework which sets out 63 recommendations for the government to implement, with a goal to eventually stamp out racism.
Dr Jill Gallagher AO, CEO of the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) welcomes the recommendations, but says she remains unconvinced.
“The National Anti-Racism Framework recommends truth-telling as the first step to addressing the systemic racism that affects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and while I wholeheartedly agree and support the idea, you can understand why I am cynical.”
The failed 2023 Voice Referendum result remains a devastation for Aboriginal people across this country.
Dr Gallagher believes a Voice to Parliament would have empowered Aboriginal people to hold governments to account. To ask the hard questions and demand action.
But she said hateful vitriol and racism that filled the news cycle in the lead-up to, and in the aftermath of the Referendum has only made things worse for Aboriginal people.
“Make no mistake. Racism exits here in this country, and it is killing us.”
She questions whether the Framework will become just another document to sit on a shelf and gather dust.
“Truth telling has been promised for as long as I can remember, but who is making sure that it is being progressed? Where is the action?” she asked.
Last week Dr Gallagher joined the First Peoples Assembly of Victoria and government in the Darebin Parklands as the official treaty negotiations kicked off – and she said the event made her feel hopeful.
“I haven’t felt hope for a long time. It’s been hard to muster up any hope since the failed referendum last year. The result remains devastating for Aboriginal people across this continent.”
She reinforced that Aboriginal culture belongs to all Australians.
“It is a culture that we should all be proud of and we should make it a visible part of our landscape. But despite our traumatic history, I do have hope. I have hope because I know there are many other important initiatives happening all around us right now.”
Initiatives such as the Yoorrook Justice Commission with their vital truth telling and the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria and their dedication towards advancing the Treaty Journey in this state.
“Treaty has the power to deliver monumental change for Aboriginal Communities. Changes could enhance Community rights, services, healthcare, education and amplify the advocacy the voices of us all.”
“It represents Victoria’s opportunity to reckon with past injustices and tackle the ongoing, every-day legacy of invasion and racism that continues to hold Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people back.”
She reinforces that as Australians, we can’t undo the past, but we can most certainly learn from it.
“This country has belonged to the First Peoples for over 65,000 years, and for the past 250 years it has belonged to all Australians. So now we need to embrace our oldest living culture in the world and walk together as one.”
