Closing The Gap For Indigenous Australians In A Post Apology World

Tim Dunlop

I would like to acknowledge the Dharawal people, the indigenous owners of this land, and also their elders of whom I pay my dearest respect to.

Now there is some difficulty in suggesting new ideas since the nationwide 2020 summit has occurred, yet the most effective actions I believe can be taken, addressed by us, is to look at the apology made by Kevin Rudd on behalf of the Australian Government this year, the actions already pursued and suggestions from the 2020 Summit itself, assessing and appropriating them for our local area Indigenous population, youth and beyond.

The apology made by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on February 13th of this year was to the Indigenous populations of this country, on behalf of the government, particularly the Stolen Generations. The promise of the apology was that from the previous actions and lack thereof from previous governments of Australia, had resulted in a degradation and neglect of the Aboriginal community and that in the acknowledgement of past wrongs past we are, now, able to move forward. The world we now live in, is one following this apology, officially and unanimously made.

The notion of "closing the gap for Indigenous Australians" I believe can be addressed upon a 2 level basis. The first is one of physicality or issues we can easily be made aware of. These include the failings in Indigenous Health Care, Education, Housing, Substance abuse and the most notable ones of infant mortality rates, sexual abuse within Indigenous communities and the 17 year gap in overall life expectancy.

There is complexity to the disadvantage. This is an issue of both urgency and an issue to be dealt with, with due care to ensure a successful and resolved outcome. In attempting to pay homage to this issue, which has been present for over 200 years, in a mere five minutes, would be somewhat futile. These solutions to issues of practicality can be founded in the final report of the 2020 Summit entitled "Options for the future of Indigenous Australians'- many of which are outstanding suggestions worthy of being pursued.

The other part of this notion of closing the gap, I believe, is founded within the mindset of Australia. This is something we can address on our own local level through many avenues inclusive of awareness and education, throughout all levels of the community. We must specifically, as youth, focus upon this in terms of Indigenous youth.

I quote Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's apology speech in which he said in regards to the aims of his apology, "It is also aimed at building a bridge between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians- a bridge based on real respect rather than a thinly veiled contempt." This thinly veiled contempt that is spoken of, is the mindset that we as non-Indigenous Australians, and as youth of the Sutherland Shire, must break down in achieving equality and respect between cultures in this post apology world.

As much as I can acknowledge the Dharawal people here today, whom I do pay my respects to, unfortunately I know very little in regards to their culture and relationship with the land within this region. Education and awareness at a local level, throughout all levels of education beyond those of primary and secondary schooling has the potential to inform and persuade many; in term breaking down this "thinly veiled contempt" mentioned earlier.

As youth in the Sutherland Shire we are fortunate, affluent, even willing to name our region as "God's Country." Unfortunately however, yet again, we are lacking in seeking out Indigenous youth specifically, for their voicing of opinions and for equal consideration, even at events such as these. We must promote young Indigenous leadership for equal consideration and respect, through which we can bridge the gap. Another option we as youth may consider is the opportunity for partnerships between urban communities and rural indigenous ones. This system works for international 'sister' cities and other campaign of the likes, so why can't it be pursued to bridge a gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australia? These few simple practical solutions, through which we can break down the mindset that has been present far too long, are there for us as youth to pursue. They are there for us to set a standard, and influence the greater community.

Another consideration that cannot be overlooked that we, as residents of the Sutherland Shire, live in the area in which "modern Australia" was founded and the first, sometimes considered being hostile interactions, between the British and Indigenous people, occurring at Kurnell. Furthermore we possess, as a natural resource, The Royal National Park, the second oldest in the world, and a wealth of Indigenous culture, carvings and history. We must preserve the culture of these areas, a culture which extends beyond places to those people who hold them most dear. Has this preservation, for us as non Indigenous Australians, lasted long enough and impacted us deeply enough or at least sufficiently to classify as equality between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians?

As difficult as closing the gap for Indigenous Australians in a post apology world may seem, it is an issue we must address with due care, as Australians and Youth, with action beginning on a local level to extend to something greater, and ultimately, country-wide.