Sarah Hathway, speaking on behalf of the Socialist Alliance, addressed the Cry for Truth and Justice rally, organised by Be Tru 2 Uluru on January 26. Below is an abridged version of her speech.
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I pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging and acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded: this always was and always will be Aboriginal land.
I pay my respects to Aunty Wendy and Sister Julie for your shared wisdom and guidance of Be Tru 2 Uluru, for your trust in us white fellas to step up, your guiding hand when we get it wrong. We wouldn’t all be gathered here today without you.
I’ve been invited to speak today on behalf of Socialist Alliance, which will celebrate 24 years of organising for social justice this August.
I acknowledge our Elders, in particular Murri activist Uncle Sam Watson, a proud Wangerriburra and Birri Gubba man, who led the development of Socialist Alliance on matters of First Nations justice.
Socialist Alliance recently reviewed its policy platform, including moving matters of First Nations justice to the front. It was a recognition that that you can’t talk about social justice, or injustice, without placing rights for First Nations people upfront.
In this federal election, matters of First Nations justice will be opportunistically weaponised by the major parties, both of which have perpetrated injustices.
But matters of justice are about more than elections; they are about more than a policy on paper, or who we vote for.
It matters what we do in between elections, day-to-day, that drives real justice or allows injustices to set in.
Australia has a shared history of struggle and fight-back, with socialists and communists working alongside Black activists and left trade unions, going back to the 1920s.
After more than 100 years of shared struggle, including many strikes, campaigns, truth telling, Tent Embassies and Freedom Rides, we know we still need to organise and fight- back.
Our shared history shows that rights and justice are never handed over by bosses or politicians because we asked nicely.
We also know we all benefit when we work together.
This shared knowledge about how to organise, campaign and fight back is needed now more than ever.
The walk back on First Nations rights is global.
The election of right-wing governments in the United States and the threat of them being elected in Canada and Australia are helping a shift to the right.
Eighteen months ago, the conversation was about a First Nations voice to parliament.
Now, some councils are walking back previous decisions not to recognise January 26 as Australia Day.
Peter Dutton, the country’s potential future prime minister, is saying he won’t give media conferences in front of a First Nations flag. Others are whinging about having to give acknowledgements or Welcomes to Country.
Seven councillors in the City of Greater Geelong are spreading division by whipping up nationalism which, in turn, whips up racism. They have misrepresented the community consultation around January 26, lied to community members and failed to adhere to the Local Government Act.
These councillors have no shame, because they don’t care.
Next time they pop up at your kids’ sports club, or some other event, ask them why they think sewing divisions is a good idea.
January 26 is not the end: it’s just the beginning. We hope to see you at future events for First Nations justice and that we continue to walk together as one strong mob.
Nyatne (thank-you in Wadawurrung language).