A “real economy” is needed in Arnhem Land, say Indigenous leaders addressing a major Australian cultural gathering.
Yothu Yindi Foundation chair Djawa Yunupingu has told crowds at Garma Festival at Gulkula in northeast Arnhem Land his people plan on being part of the future.
“Yolngu people are not suddenly going to stop and rest and think everything is OK,” he said on Saturday.
“We intend to use our lands and waters for our own future and the future of our children, and the future of our nation.”
His comments came as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese used his Garma address to unveil an economic partnership with the Coalition of Peaks.
“Our government also wants to work with communities as economic decision-makers, to unlock the true potential of their land and their endeavour beyond passing transactions to lasting partnerships that create and share wealth,” he said.
The approach would allow traditional owners to advocate for infrastructure, housing and energy projects on their land and to build equity beyond the land itself.
Mr Albanese also announced $70 million for Indigenous clean energy projects, $75 million for native title reforms and $31 million for a mobile TAFE program under the partnership.
The prime minister said, “we have made a start but there is more to do”.
“We must end the stalemate that arises when native title organisations with little in the way of back-of-house, or legal and commercial expertise are expected to negotiate with multinational firms.”
Mr Albanese said the partnership builds on agreements made under Closing the Gap, saying it is a “new way of doing business”.
Closing the Gap has been a major topic of discussion at Garma, which has become a ground for political conversations and policy announcements while also focusing on culture and empowerment of the local Yolngu people.
Data released on Thursday revealed just four of 19 targets are on track to be met, with another four goals going backwards – adult incarceration, children in out-of-home care, suicide rates and child development.
Mr Albanese said Closing the Gap data underlined the fact that a different, dedicated approach was required to address these issues.
“Reports and reviews have their place but they are not a substitute for outcomes, results,” he said.
“Creating a process matters but it is not the same thing as making progress.”
Mr Yunupingu closed his address by telling the prime minister he was open to doing business together.
“My brothers and sisters are telling me now, we have serious business,” he said.
“They are reminding me that making hard decisions with serious people is what leadership is all about.”
13YARN 13 92 76
Lifeline 13 11 14
Australian Associated Press is the beating heart of Australian news. AAP is Australia’s only independent national newswire and has been delivering accurate, reliable and fast news content to the media industry, government and corporate sector for 85 years. We keep Australia informed.
