The Prime Minister’s misrepresentation of Garma as the Holy Grail of Indigenous opinion and approval is arrogant and the antithesis of truth-telling and genuine
engagement.
One look at the organiser’s website confirms Garma is a four-day showcase of culture, community language, and opportunity of Yolgnu – the people of the east Arnhem Land.
I applaud those seeking a cultural and immersive experience at Garma; choosing to pay up to $5000 a head to do so because it fuels philanthropic activities, resulting in social and economic inclusion with reach and benefit beyond the East Arnhem land community and the entrepreneurial work that has gifted Australia Garma.
I am less comfortable so many only do so by reaching into their employers’ or association’s pockets funded by the public purse, including the Albanese Government,
which contributed $775,000 over two years to support the event.
Since the 2022 election, the PM has attended Garma annually to announce his headline policies and showcase his enthusiasm for polite conversation about these issues of mutual interest, with the response beamed through the media throng to the rest of us.
There are hundreds of language groups surviving across Australia – each with their own district language, culture, country, and communities and more historical experiences such as the Wakka Wakka, Pitjantjatjarra, Arrernte, Ngarrindjeri, Wiradjuri, and Mirning – who also deserve some of his Government’s attention.
Garma is not the only big event.
Every year very large gatherings of Indigenous people traverse the Central and Western Desert regions to continue culture and ceremony not with media, public, or political spotlight.
Some communities appear all but invisible under this Albanese Labor Government – those not lucky to have or be able to leverage from economies such as resources,
tourism and the arts in the same way as others.
It’s not truth-telling to represent Indigenous Australia and others gathered at GARMA as representative views or that all things are equal.
It is simply not.
The most vulnerable wherever they are should indeed our priority and they should not be lost amid all the hype.
– Senator Kerrynne Liddle
Shadow Minister for Child Protection and the Prevention of Family Violence
