ACT Election Day is nearly here and we will soon know who will form the next ACT government. If you haven’t already, please check out our scorecards to help in working out who to vote for: Scorecard – ACT parties – ANTaR ACT. We have added a scorecard for the Canberra Liberals with the release of their policy statement on 9 October.
It has been 12 months since the Voice Referendum was held on 14 October 2023. One year ago, Australians were asked whether they supported the establishment of a constitutionally enshrined Voice to Parliament for First Nations peoples. Sadly, the Referendum did not succeed. ANTAR National Director, Blake Cansdale, has published a powerful article – “One year on: the good, the bad, the ugly” – reflecting on his emotional journey since the Referendum.
ACT Election: Beyond the talk – Indigenous-led solutions NOW!
Our campaign has been very successful on transfer of Boomanulla Oval and the Ngunnawal Bush Healing Farm to First Nations community control, and greater First Nations community control generally, thanks in particular to the partnership with Active Democracy Bean.
All major parties and most minor parties now support action on this in the next term of government. Whoever is in government is going to be committed to these transfers and whoever is opposition or on a cross bench should be in support of this as they committed to them too. These were the two highest priority issues identified by our speakers at the David Hunter Memorial Lecture back in March this year.
The campaign isn’t over until these transfers happen though, but we’ve made a great start!
You can find more information, including the briefing notes on key issues, on our website: Election 2024 – ANTaR ACT.
Active Democracy Bean Update
During this last month leading into the ACT election we have focussed on the candidate forums, where we have distributed the Election scorecard and asked questions about our key campaign asks. Overall, we think together with ANTaR ACT, we have successfully elevated First Nations priorities amongst our elected representatives and candidates, and our community. Specifically:
- Some of us were interviewed by Valley FM about Active Democracy Bean, the progress of our ACT election campaign and our Local Politics in the Pub event, photo here.
- ADB members attended and asked questions at the Woden Community Council Candidate Forum, Tuggeranong Community Council Candidate Forum, CAPaD Know Your Candidate Tuggeranong Forum and Pocock Politics at the Pub: the Value of Independents event.
- Stalls promoting the campaign and handing out Scorecards were held at the Brierly Street Block Party at Weston Creek and the ACT Community Sector 10th annual NAIDOC celebration, photos here and here.
You can contact Active Democracy Bean at: activedemocracybean@outlook.com.
Authorised by Janet Hunt on behalf of ANTAR ACT.
ANTaR ACT Organising Group
ANTaR ACT will be holding stalls at two events on Saturday 26 October – we will be at the NAIDOC Family Day at Boomanulla Oval, 169 Goyder Ave, Narrabundah, from 10am to 4pm, and the Celebrate Gunghalin festival, 11am to 2pm, in the Gunghalin Town Square. We will have information on our key campaigns and be selling books and merchandise from First Nations writers and artists.
The next meeting of the ANTaR ACT organising group will be an in-person meeting on the afternoon of Sunday 17 November, location and time to be confirmed. We will be developing a plan for our activities for the next year, following on from our ACT Election campaign. If you would like to join us and be involved in our ongoing advocacy and actions, please email info@antaract.org.au and we will send you the details.
Events coming up
LOCAL Politics in the Pub – All about restorative justice
Monday 21 October, 5.30-7.30pm, Austrian Australian Club, Heard St, Mawson
The next LOCAL Politics in the Pub event will focus on on restorative approaches to justice.
The ACT has the third highest rate of Indigenous child removals and youth 10-17 in detention, and very high Indigenous adult incarceration and recidivism. We know that jailing is failing, and different approaches are needed.
Come and hear Dr Holly Northam, Convenor of the Canberra Restorative Community and Dr Wayne Applebee, who developed the Circuit Breaker Program to support the rehabilitation of Indigenous prisoners and divert offenders away from crime.
The local Politics in the Pub series is an informal locally focused event on the third Monday of the month and is organised by Active Democracy Bean. People gather from 5.30pm, with a speaker and Q&A from 6pm, and the option of dinner afterwards for those interested. All welcome!
2024 ACT NAIDOC Family Day
Saturday 26 October, 10am – 4pm, Boomanulla Oval, 169 Goyer Ave, Narrabundah
Bring the family out for a day of free entertainment, rides, activities, barista coffee, face painting and fairy floss. With fundraising BBQs and deadly Blak business market stalls to get your Christmas shopping done early! Bring your picnic blanket and sunscreen to settle in for a day of fun.
More information via the NAIDOC Week ACT Facebook page: 2024 ACT NAIDOC FAMILY DAY | Facebook.
Canberra Writers Festival
Wednesday 23 – Sunday 27 October, various venues
The Canberra Writers Festival offers a program of master classes, dinners, author talks, panel discussions, workshops, book launches and performances around books and ideas. The program includes a number of First Nations writers and issues. Charges apply.
For the full program see: Home | Canberra Writers Festival | 2024 program and tickets now available.
- Your Favourites, Melissa Lucashenko, Fri 25 Oct, 12noon, Arc Cinema: Your Favourites, Melissa Lucashenko | Canberra Writers Festival
- Black Witness, Amy McQuire, Sat 26 Oct, 10am, Senate Chamber, Museum of Australian Democracy (MOAD): Black Witness | Canberra Writers Festival
- Continuity and Connection, Nardi Simpson, Sat 26 Oct, 12.30pm, Theatre, National Library of Australia: Continuity and Connection | Canberra Writers Festival
- The Voice, A Year On, David Hume, Anita Heiss and Amy McQuire, Sat 26 Oct, 2.30pm, Representatives Chambers, MOAD: The Voice, A Year On | Canberra Writers Festival
- Your Favourites, Anita Heiss, Sun 27 Oct, 10am, Arc Cinema: Your Favourites, Anita Heiss | Canberra Writers Festival
- Reading Praiseworthy, Sun 27 Oct, 12.30pm, Theatrette, National Film and Sound Archive: Reading Praiseworthy | Canberra Writers Festival
Kep Enderby Memorial Lecture
Dismantling systemic racism – perspectives from First Nations peoples
Friday 1 November 2024, 12noon – 1.30pm, online
Systemic racism – in law, policies and service delivery – has serious and ongoing consequences for First Nations peoples, including poor mental and physical health, economic disadvantage, over-incarceration and social exclusion.
Marni Tuala, CEO of First Nations Collective, will deliver this year’s oration. Marni will share the findings of extensive consultations with First Nations peoples across Australia about their experiences of racism and recommendations for systemic change. ABC TV presenter Dan Bourchier will emcee the event and moderate the panel discussion.
For more information and registration (free event): Kep Enderby Memorial Lecture 2024 (humanitix.com)
Ensemble Offspring – Ngarra-Burria
Friday 1 November 2024, 7.30pm, at The Street Theatre
An evening of brand new First Nations compositions. James Henry unveils his multi-movement work Dreamscapes, an exploration into what can be recovered from dreams in the form of stories and melodies. Then immerse yourself in instrumental works by the 2024 Ngarra-Burria: First Peoples Composers cohort – Nicole Smede, Gabe Fromeyen, Adam Manning and Gary Wattling. Join Ensemble Offspring and Dr Christopher Sainsbury to celebrate these important artistic voices and their stories.
For more information and tickets: Ensemble Offspring | The Street Theatre.
Tasting Australia with Adam Shipp: Kennedy Garden tours and tea
Friday 1 and Saturday 2 November, National Museum of Australia
Enjoy the sights and scents of the season as Adam Shipp (Wiradjuri) of Yurbay Consultancies shares his passion for native plants. Each tour finishes with the opportunity to sample some of the flavours found in the Kennedy Garden and around the Canberra region.
For more information and bookings: Tasting Australia with Adam Shipp | National Museum of Australia (nma.gov.au).
Waru – journey of the small turtle
Saturday 9 November, 11am and 2pm (school performances on 7 & 8 Nov), at the Playhouse, Canberra Theatre Centre
Under the star-illuminated skies of the Torres Strait, a green turtle navigates her way back to the beach where she was born. The season has started, the turtles are returning to nest, and soon the island will welcome a new generation of hatchlings – amongst them, our small turtle friend, Migi! In Bangarra’s first dedicated work for children, join our heroine Migi as she undertakes a journey of discovery and survival.
For more information and tickets: Waru – journey of the small turtle | Canberra Theatre Centre
LOCAL Politics in the Pub – Closing the Gap in the ACT – what needs to change?
Monday 18 November, 5.30-7.30pm, Austrian Australian Club, Heard St, Mawson
The November LOCAL Politics in the Pub event will focus on Closing the Gap. For more details, see the Active Democracy Bean Facebook page: Active Democracy Bean | Facebook.
ANTaR ACT acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which Canberra is situated, the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people. We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region. We also acknowledge other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who may visit this area.