Qld Nationals slammed for racism

By Bill Mason

BRISBANE -- Recent remarks of Queensland National Party leaders have been denounced as “openly racist” by Coral Wynter, Democratic Socialist candidate for the seat of Griffith in the coming federal elections.

A week of controversy erupted after Brisbane Lord Mayor Jim Soorley advocated the leasing to Aborigines of about 10 ha of sacred land known as the Nudgee Bora Ring.

State National spokesperson on Aboriginal affairs Brian Littleproud called Soorley an “Uncle Tom” (sic) for his “over-patronising attitude” and his pandering to the Aboriginal “guilt industry”.

Rockhampton state National MP Vince Lester chimed in with a charge that Aboriginal land claims were becoming ridiculous and called on Aborigines to pay their own way like “normal” Australians.

“Only genuine land rights can provide the foundation for overcoming the 200 years of oppression suffered by Australia's indigenous people”, Wynter said on January 30.

Brisbane Aboriginal elder Bob Weatherall said Littleproud and Lester had to go.

“They should resign their positions immediately ... They are both way back in the 18th century. Aboriginal people are not surprised by these racist comments, but we are angry about it.”

Weatherall has filed a complaint with the Anti-Discrimination Board against Lester and Littleproud on behalf of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research Foundation.

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