Sorry, but how far have we really come?
Eight years after Kevin Rudd’s historical apology, Indigenous Australians are still facing massive inequalities in life expectancy, juvenile detention rates and access to education. Adrian Arndt, a passionate social justice advocate, says we need strong, decisive action in the movement towards equality.
It was 9.00am to the minute on the 13th of February 2008 when then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd stated the following, “we today take this first step by acknowledging the past and laying claim to a future that embraces all Australians.” The first action, of the second sitting day, of the 42nd Parliament of Australia, delivered a pivotal moment in Australian history and something that many had long been waiting to hear.
This symbolic moment was viewed by many as a turning point for Indigenous Australians. A recognition of past ills, perpetuated by a frightening lack of support from those in a position to drive positive change. One could be forgiven for thinking that the 13th of February 2008 would forever be remembered as the day that Australia wrapped its collective arms around our First People.
Fast forward eight and a half years. Australia has seen four Prime Ministers, a double digit increase in our population, sporting dynasties created, national heroes born, a female Melbourne Cup winning jockey. To the casual observer this period has been one of unrivalled success for the land down under.
However, behind this veil of success lie issues that are often more easily set aside when we do a health check of our nation. The fact that in some parts of Australia the average life expectancy of Indigenous men is 49 years (1); the same as Sierra Leone (2). The fact that Indigenous juvenile detention rates are 24 times higher than the rate for non-Indigenous youth (3). The fact that 10% of Aboriginal children graduate from year 12 (4).
With these statistics in mind, we go back to that pivotal day in February. The day that marked a call to harness the strengths of our nation to break the cycle of Indigenous disadvantage. The question now, even to that same casual observer, is how far have we really come?
I was recently reading a book that posed the poignant question; ‘What is your why?’ On the surface it is a simple question, but one that has an array of meanings. In the context of our Indigenous population, these meanings are even more telling as years of disadvantage taint the hopes and dreams of many. For me, my why was born out of an appreciation of my own circumstances but also an obligation to acknowledge and work towards improving the circumstances of our first people.
I am a proud product of immigrants who came to this country in the search of a better life. I was not born into significant wealth, but I was born into a family that value hard work, honesty and the rewards that come of that. I was taught the power of forgiveness, the strength of love and the importance of sacrifice.
I was put through the private school system but also reminded of the need for humility and the grace of being humble. It was in this Catholic environment that I came to understand and appreciate my good fortune but also the misfortune that existed around me. Over time rather than the Catholic faith, social justice became my ‘church’ and I began to invest time in not only trying to understand the social issues of the world I was born into, but also developing a strong sense of duty to do something about them.
Coupled with my time spent in Indigenous communities, it is these lessons that formed the basis of my own moral compass. This awareness allowed me to explore, develop and refine my own ‘why’ and passion in ‘closing the gap’ and ultimately driving equitable opportunity for our First People.
Spending time in community only reinforces the depth of the issues that too often are met with deafening silences. Tamworth, a town of wealth, hard work and golden guitars, but also a town faced with its own challenges. There is the story of an Indigenous teenager, 17 years old and one of five children, who recently became the first in his family, 3 generations, to complete high school. There are other similar stories; all inspiring and deserving of adulation. However, at present these stories are not the norm. If anything, far from it. Each time I am in Tamworth I see first-hand the cruels of substance abuse. I drive through suburban streets where the number of burnt out houses can sometimes outnumber those that are standing. I share lunch with kids who won’t get another meal that day. Good kids, with good intentions, who through no fault of their own are born into a cyclical problem that very few are able to overcome.
Looking back to that significant day in 2008 the cynic in me can’t help but question whether it was another example of the beast of politics taking precedence over the significance of the action. This isn’t to say that there aren’t organisations trying to minimise obstacles in order to break the cycle. The rate of ‘at-risk’ youths in Tamworth, almost 60% higher than the state (5), and the number of youths in out of home care, more than 40% above the state average (6), puts these obstacles into a clear perspective. Tireless amounts of effort are put towards making change, people going above and beyond. However, these efforts, as telling as they are, can only go so far.
Looking purely at numbers doesn’t always tell the full story, but it can point to a trend. The challenges faced in Tamworth are not isolated and can be seen in a number of communities, particularly Kempsey. Foetal alcohol syndrome, a horrible condition acquired through no fault of those affected, is prominent. The story of a five year old boy who felt the need to take extra food to hide in bushes so he was guaranteed a meal that night still gives me shivers. These challenges perpetuate disadvantage and only drive further the gap in health and education between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians.
In 2005, then Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Professor Tom Calma AO said, “it is not credible to suggest that one of the wealthiest nations in the world cannot solve a health crisis affecting less than 3% of its citizens.” (7) From this came the ‘Close the Gap’ campaign in 2006 which ultimately led to the much sought after apology in 2008. Progress driven by a recognition of injustice and a publicised desire to make impactful change. I understand that impact doesn’t happen over-night, and that visible changes can take years to come to fruition. I also acknowledge that the first step in a journey like this can be the hardest. However, the question still does remain, how far have we come?
This generation has the empowerment to wipe away the stain of injustice. As the Close the Gap campaign marks its tenth anniversary, Australians are demanding strong, decisive action in the movement towards equality. As varied as each of our backgrounds and experiences are, ultimately if we are not making our society a better place, what are we really doing? It is the responsibility of this generation to ensure the government makes good on their promises of 2008. Whether it be in the form of resources, or funding, or heaven forbid, both, we all have a significant role to play in ‘closing the gap’ for our First People.
That is my hope. That is my goal. That is my passion. And importantly, that is my ‘why’.
What’s yours?
- ‘Mortality’ 2016, Australian Indigenous Health Info Net, viewed 25th August 2016
- World Health Organisation, ‘World Health Statistics 2016’, p.8
- Fact Check’ 2015, ABC News, viewed 9th August 2016
- ‘Boarding scholarships are needed, says expert’, Koori Mail 425, p.29
- Family and Community Services Statistical Report 2014-15, Part 2, p.41
- Family and Community Services Statistical Report 2014-15, Part 2, p.41
- Holland, C 2016, ‘Progress and Priorities Report’ Closing the Gap Campaign Steering Committee, p.1
Adrian Arndt, 26, is a passionate advocate social justice, particularly around equal access and opportunity for Indigenous Australians. He has spent time in a number of regional communities working with Indigenous groups to understand issues faced and assist with driving positive change. Adrian is also actively involved in Sydney based charity, Communities for Communities, which works to build community connections and spirit both in Australia and abroad. He has spent time in remote regions of Indonesia and Fiji building houses for displaced refugees and victims of Tropical Cyclone Winston.
doucmeasicu
November 30, 2016 at 1:05 am
Good luck
Go Adrian – you sound very compassionate and empathetic, rare qualities in our youth these days. As you point out we have said a lot but achieved little to improve the quality of life for indigenous Australians. What you didn't say is – What do we do? What actions can we undertake that will make a difference? IMO – The roadblock in our way is, we wont accept that alcohol is the main cause of problems in society. All humans have a problem with alcohol (abstainers excepted) not just indigenous people. Fetal alcohol syndrome puts the child at a disadvantage even before its born. Try to get Australians to give up their love of alcohol and you might make a difference. Otherwise I fear you will just waste you life.
Adrian Arndt
November 30, 2016 at 4:06 am
interest take
Appreciate your comment. To be honest I think singling out alcohol as the main cause is a little bit narrow minded, even ignorant (sorry!). No doubt alcohol generally doesn't help a situation and foetal alcohol syndrome is a tragic condition to be born with but blaming alcohol only enhances the unfortunate stereotypes our Indigenous people are tarred with. What do we do? Well, that is a hard question with an array of answers. As a starting point, these conversations are a great start. I personally think that corporate Australia has the potential to play a significant role in changing attitudes towards Aboriginal people. Offering programs to enhance quality of life through education and employment, and also offering people the opportunity to immerse themselves in Aboriginal culture is crucial. Meaningful and sustainable change takes time but I firmly believe corporate Australia has the resources, cash and opportunity to assist with making this change a reality.