29 September 2008
The Gurindji people who are famous for the Wave Hill walk-off that in itself pushed the Government of the day to start to recognize Aboriginal people have equal rights and abilities to the not indigenous people of Australia. The strike was triggered by the ongoing oppression of the Gurindji and tribal groups (who were the main workforce on the cattle stations operated by wealthy people from Australia and overseas) through a payment system of some basic food stuffs and little if any cash, while non indigenous people were paid award wages. This strike and subsequent public meeting etc in 60s earmarked the beginning of a long struggle that some had thought was over but the imposing of the intervention on the people have brought back the days of being under and control of a government manager (GBMs, CEBs, and other bureaucrats) who tells you what you can and can not spend your income on, regardless of your real needs. Thereby leading to a system which under the Racial Discrimination Act could have lead to a class action against the Government due to the extreme control of the communities life which everyone else in Australia does not have these restrictions, so is the plan to make the Aboriginal People second class people again without rights or are to be the one people of Australia or not?
Michael Paddy
On behalf of Gurindji People
29 September 2008