Vigil for justice

Vigil for justice

By Sue Bull

CANBERRA — To mark the 30th anniversary of the 1967 referendum which granted Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people citizenship on May 27, a 500-strong all-day vigil for justice was held in front of Parliament House.

A lunchtime rally, chaired by radio personality James Valentine, heard Judith Wright McKinney read a poem for her good friend, the late Oodgeroo Noonuccal (Kath Walker).

Ray Peckham, who toured with Faith Bandler in 1967 during the referendum campaign, and Ray Swan from the Aboriginal Tent Embassy both noted that conditions for Aboriginal people have barely improved since the referendum's passing.

Bishop Richard Randerson from the Anglican Church said reconciliation requires an unequivocal apology and the righting of wrongs.

ALP Senator Margaret Reynolds argued that Howard needs to officially apologise in his capacity as leader of the country. She said there were double standards in the current "race debate". For example, the commemoration of ANZAC Day is considered to be acceptable but discussing and remembering the crimes committed against Aboriginal people in the past is not.

She wanted to know why the stolen generation cannot receive compensation, yet government can compensate gun owners.

From GLW issue 277