ACTU Congress backs Brisbane Sovereign Embassy

More than 200 Queensland police evicted the Aboriginal Sovereign Embassy from Brisbane’s Musgrave Park early on May 16 on the orders of Brisbane City Council. Police arrested about 30 activists.

A crowd of more than 200 people, including Aboriginal protesters from the embassy together with community and union supporters, later marched to state parliament to protest the eviction.

The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) Congress passed the motion below on May 16 in support of the Brisbane Sovereign Embassy.

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The ACTU stands in solidarity with the unionists and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander activists at the culturally significant site at Musgrave Park, Brisbane, QLD.

Congress expresses it concern about the apparent return to negative tactics used by the Queensland government in the 1970s and 1980s against citizens of Queensland.

Campbell Newman has been elected to govern for all Queenslanders, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders, and this Congress calls on the Newman government and the Brisbane City Council to respect the rights of freedom of speech, peaceful assembly and protest.

Mover: Dave Matters. Union: Rail Tram and Bus Union, Queensland

Seconder: Allen Hicks. Union: Electrical Trades Union

From GLW issue 923