This presentation, titled 'Voices on the Voice: Marcia Langton,' begins with an introduction by Professor Lisa Jackson Pulver, who welcomes the audience and provides some housekeeping information. The presentation acknowledges the presence of Auslan interpreters and live captioning, as well as the fact that the event is being filmed and recorded. Uncle Charles 'Chicka' Madden offers a warm Welcome to Country and shares his background as an Aboriginal leader in Sydney. Professor Jackson Pulver then introduces herself as the host and Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Indigenous Strategy and Services at the University of Sydney.
The Chancellor, Belinda Hutchinson, speaks about the significance of the event and the importance of discussing the Indigenous Voice to Parliament in Australia. She reflects on the university's history and its role in fostering positive change, particularly through alumni like Charles Perkins and the Freedom Rides. Chancellor Hutchinson emphasizes the university's commitment to acknowledging and rectifying past injustices and the role of education in shaping a more inclusive future.
The keynote speaker, Professor Marcia Langton AO, is introduced as a prominent anthropologist and geographer who has made significant contributions to Australian life, history, and Indigenous rights advocacy. Professor Langton highlights the importance of constitutional recognition and the proposed Voice to Parliament, emphasizing its practical significance beyond symbolism. She stresses the potential for this change to bring dignity to Indigenous Australians and foster unity among all Australians, helping to move beyond the divisive legacy of colonial history.
The presentation sets the stage for a discussion on the Indigenous Voice to Parliament and its implications for Australia's future, with Professor Marcia Langton as the featured speaker.
The speaker then discusses the history of constitutional reform and the significance of apologies in Australia. The presentation highlights the rejection of recommendations by the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation, including the apology to the Stolen Generations, by Prime Minister John Howard. It reflects on the impact of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's apology in 2008, which acknowledged past wrongs and brought healing to the nation by vindicating the Stolen Generations.
The speaker then delves into the historical context of the Australian Constitution, emphasizing its exclusionary nature and discriminatory provisions that aimed to exclude Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The 1967 referendum, which removed some of these discriminatory clauses, is discussed, but the speaker notes that Indigenous Australians still felt excluded from the Constitution. The presentation highlights the continuing vulnerability and discrimination faced by Indigenous Australians due to constitutional gaps and exemptions from the Racial Discrimination Act.
The presentation also touches on the ongoing challenges faced by Indigenous communities in areas such as closing the gap and unequal resource allocation. It underscores the need for constitutional reform to address these issues and recognizes the efforts of Indigenous leaders like Dr. Yunupingu and Noel Pearson in advocating for recognition and change. The presentation sets the stage for discussing the importance of constitutional recognition and the proposed Voice to Parliament as a step toward rectifying historical injustices and ensuring Indigenous representation and rights.
