Abbott’s ill-considered remarks highlight need to acknowledge national day truths

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott’s suggestion, reiterated today, that it is time to “move on” are dismissive and unhelpful, and further mask Australia Day truths that need to be acknowledged, Acting Australian Greens Leader Christine Milne said.

“Mr Abbott’s ill-considered remarks demonstrate the need to officially recognise all elements of Australia Day so that we can work towards a truly national day, Senator Milne said in Brisbane.

“The 26th of January is Australia Day, Invasion Day and Survival Day, as the Australia Day committee chair Warren Pearson says. He also says these three truths can coexist and that the one day can be both a day of celebration and a day of mourning. And yet official national events do not give prominence to anything other than celebration.

“At the very least, official events need to recognise these truths so that a truly national day can occur. The day needs to be remembered as a day of dispossession inconsistent with the democratic nation we have become and inconsistent with the rule of law that we uphold. It should be a day when we all recommit to social justice and freedom.

“At the national level, the Greens are working hard to go beyond the apology to the stolen generation and, in consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, we want to secure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander recognition in the Australian constitution.

“We are also fighting for the retention of Aboriginal languages – including better funding in looming education reforms – and the Greens have delivered in the carbon bills addressing climate change recognition of exclusive and non-exclusive native title as the basis for ownership of carbon rights. It is a start.

“We welcome Mr Abbott’s support today for constitutional recognition, a key reform that the Australian Greens are working hard to deliver as part of our agreement with the Prime Minister. That too is a start in the right direction,” Senator Milne said.