Rally against Hindmarsh Island royal commission

By Kim Linden MELBOURNE — More than 50 people holding placards which read "Stop the racist Hindmarsh Bridge royal commission", "Boycott Brown's commission" and "Brown's inquisition sucks" gathered on November 18 outside the SA government travel centre to protest against the Liberal state government's royal commission into the beliefs of the Ngarrindjeri women around Hindmarsh Island in South Australia. The rally was organised by Radical Women in solidarity with the Ngarrindjeri women and members of the Hindmarsh Island or Kumarangk Coalition, which includes environmentalists, trade unions and residents opposing the bridge and proposed marina and residential development at Hindmarsh Island. Speakers included Ngarrindjeri activists Maggie Jacobs, Veronica Brodie (Ngarrindjeri custodian of women's secret business) and Sarah Milera, Natalie Harkin from the Kumarangk Coalition, Margaret Findlayson from Friends of Goolwa and Kumarangk and Brenda Hunter of Radical Women. Messages of solidarity were sent from the SA division of the CFMEU and the SA United Trades and Labour Council and a statement from ACTU president-elect Jennie George condemning the commission was also read out. Women's officer with the Victorian Trades Hall Council Jenny Draddy pledged trade union support for the campaign.

From GLW issue 213