G'day

So, with trepidation, here we go… And I have repeatedly told myself not to go there… But I cannot help myself…

Try having a barbecue discussion, family debate, or front bar conversation regarding the timing of Australia Day, climate change, or refugee policy. To be honest, it is far simpler to show restraint and talk about more jovial or trivial matters, which removes the intensity and uncomfortable nature of discussing challenging topics.

Sometimes, I am successful with avoidance strategies while at other times I am left feeling remorseful. Social media does not always assist my self-control with the pedalling of absolute falsehoods becoming gospel.

Nonetheless, in trying to navigate our way through these challenging topics perhaps we should adopt the adage: “If you don’t like what’s being said, change the conversation.”

To begin changing the conversation about the, unfortunately, divisive topic of Australia Day, on 26 January, marking the landing of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove and the proclamation of the Nationality and Citizenship Act 1948, let us begin with an anecdote.

I have always respected our national anthem, Advance Australia Fair (adopted 1974, rescinded 1976, and adopted again following the 1977 referendum in 1984), without being moved by the song’s lyrics.

To clarify, I have joined in renditions of the national anthem far more than most, priding myself on singing two verses with gusto. However, as a sentimental person, I had not found our anthem emotive. In fact, God Defend New Zealand, La Marseillaise, and Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika, along with unofficial Australian national anthems: I am Australian, and My Island Home were, in my opinion, far more stirring.  

That was until I found myself stuck in Brisbane during early 2015 unable to board a flight home after meetings. Fortunately, the Socceroos were playing The People’s Republic of China at Brisbane Stadium in an Asian Cup Quarter Final. Football fans will vividly remember the game. In the 49th minute an extraordinary Tim Cahill bicycle kick at close range made the score 1-0. He soon had a brace when Matt Leckie crossed for a Cahill classic; heading home to secure a semi-final spot.

Prior to kick-off, the national anthems were played, and Advance Australia Fair made me cry. Perhaps it was the context or moment or pride or my love of football or that I couldn’t get home. I am not quite sure, but it was something.

I was also moved, last year, when the Hon. Ken Wyatt AM, MP was sworn in as the first Aboriginal Minster for Indigenous Affairs cloaked in a traditional garment. He wore a kangaroo skin called a booka, presented to him by the Nyoongar people of south-west Western Australia.

Since that time, Mr Wyatt has established an advisory group consisting of 16 Australians, including Palawa elder Rodney Dillon, to co-design the parameters of an indigenous voice to the whole of government. Further, the Minister plans to introduce legislation to enable Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Tores Strait Islander people in our “founding” document, the Australian Constitution. Mr Wyatt stated that legislation will be tabled before the end of the year creating a pathway for a referendum, between two and six months following, should the Bill pass both Houses of Federal Parliament.

The Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900 references the states, God, and the “indissoluble Federal Commonwealth under the Crown of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland”, yet it doesn’t recognise the First People.

I am confident that change will occur. Australian school children proudly, and without question, recite the Welcome to and Acknowledgment of Country. Most major events begin with the same gesture. And several Australian businesses and companies conduct annual cultural awareness training and, are beginning to construct or already have in place, Reconciliation Action Plans.

However, with the current turbulent political climate, I cannot see most Australians agreeing to becoming a Republic, changing the date of Australia Day and, subsequently, moving to a more representative and historically truthful flag and national anthem in the short term. But I can envisage acceptance of Constitutional Recognition for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people during 2021.

So, there you go… Sometimes, the hardest part of a respectful conversation is the very first sentence…