INDIGENOUS WANT SEATS RESERVED

Misha Schubert July 31, 2011

INDIGENOUS Australians have urged their new national leadership body to push for seats in parliament to be reserved for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Almost two-thirds of those surveyed by the new National Congress of Australia's First Peoples said they wanted to see indigenous seats in the parliament, alongside other changes to the constitution to be voted on in 2013.

New Zealand has set aside Maori seats in parliament since 1867, with every part of the country covered by both a general and an indigenous electorate. Indigenous New Zealanders comprise 15 per cent of the population, compared to 2.3 per cent in Australia.

But the leaders of Australia's indigenous congress warned reserved seats might only result in ''tokenism'' and argued there were better ways to ensure that indigenous people had a stronger voice in law-making.

Co-chairperson Jody Broun said more debate was needed among indigenous people about how reserved seats might work, and whether they were a better vehicle for change than advancement in mainstream political parties.

''I've got an open mind on it,'' she said. ''I think we have really good representation from a lot of people who have come through the existing process like [federal Liberal MP] Ken Wyatt. We are already seeing Aboriginal people coming through and gaining seats and we have Aboriginal people in almost every Parliament. If that were the only thing [being proposed], I am not sure it is something I would support.''

The organisation's other chairperson, Les Malezer, said the level of support for indigenous seats reflected a broader frustration about the limited power of indigenous representation now.

He advocated giving indigenous people sweeping powers over the services and laws in their own communities by establishing self-government at a local community level instead. He said this was already happening in many parts of Queensland.

''Even with reserved seats, we will still be in a minority,'' he said. ''If legislation is being enacted, those people will have no power at all. It may provide tokenism in the parliament but it won't do anything to increase political participation or decision making.''

The congress surveyed its membership of indigenous people and organisations in May, asking them to help shape its advocacy on changes to the constitution for the referendum in 2013.

Members said they wanted the constitution to recognise indigenous rights to land and culture, ban racial discrimination and protect any future treaty struck with indigenous people.

Indigenous people also urged the congress to campaign for better services for indigenous people in mental health, early childhood and school education and health care.

The national congress was formed last year and now has 2500 members, including 120 organisations.

Indigenous Australians have had no elected national voice since the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission was abolished in 2005.

This story was found at: http://www.theage.com.au/national/indigenous-want-seats-reserved-20110730-1i5l0.html