With the ACT election just over a month away, ANTAR, ANTaR ACT and Active Democracy Bean (ADB) are pleased to launch our 2024 ACT Election Scorecard.
Which parties have policies that will make a difference in key areas for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the ACT?
This is an important step in our joint election campaign: Beyond the talk – Indigenous-led solutions NOW! Read on to find out more about the scorecard, and join us for our campaign launch at the ADB Politics in the Pub event on Monday 16 September.
The second half of our newsletter has events around Canberra highlighting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and experience, including activities for the school holidays.
ANTaR ACT Organising Group
The next meeting of the ANTaR ACT organising group will be online at 6pm on Monday 14 October. 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.
ACT Election: Scorecard
ANTaR ACT approached all political parties registered for the 2024 ACT Legislative Assembly election, with questions on five priority areas for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the ACT:
- Community control
- Justice and incarceration
- Child removals
- Aboriginal housing
- The Uluru Statement from the Heart
The election scorecards are based on the responses received.
The major party scorecard includes: ACT Labor, the ACT Greens and Independents for Canberra (the latter is the only other party with candidates in all ACT electorates). The Canberra Liberals did not get their policy response to us before our deadline, but we will add it to our website when we receive it.
The minor party scorecard includes: Belco Party, Fiona Carrick Independent, First Nation Party, and Strong Independents.
The following parties did not respond: Animal Justice Party, Shooters and Fishers, Family First, Democratic Labor Party, Community Action ACT, Canberra Progressives, Libertarian Party.
Overall outcomes
 | We rank ACT Labor, the ACT Greens, First Nations Party, and Fiona Carrick Independent as ‘thumbs up’: – with positive commitments in a majority of priority areas. |
 | We rank the other parties who responded as ‘mixed’: – meaning some of their policies were good, but others were weak or lacked detail. |
Note: These election scorecards reflect parties’ election commitments – not their track record. This provides a level playing field between parties who have been in government before, and parties who have not had the opportunity to put their policies into practice. Some major parties have made similar commitments in the past, but implementation has not delivered. The best policies only make a difference if they are implemented well.
Other campaign activities
ANTaR ACT – briefing notes
We have been highlighting our briefing notes in previous newsletters – here are links to the last two, on the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body (ATSIEB) and how it can be strengthened, and the other on reducing child removals in the ACT, highlighting the important (but not fully implemented) Our Booris, Our Way report.
- Briefing: Strengthen the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body – ANTaR ACT
- Briefing: Reduce Child Removals in the ACT – ANTaR ACT
You can find all the briefing notes and other materials on our website: Election 2024 – ANTaR ACT.
Active Democracy Bean (ADB)
During July and August, 13 ADB members made eight visits to our local MLAs, getting to know them and making the asks for community control of Boomanulla and the Ngunnawal Bush Healing Farm that are at the centre of our campaign Beyond the Talk – Indigenous Led Solutions NOW! Six visits occurred in Brindabella and Murrumbidgee, one in Kurrajong and one in Yerrabi. A total of eight visits to MLAs. Photos here (Facebook).
All the sitting MLAs in Murrumbidgee and Brindabella (bar one) who are standing for re-election in October were formally visited by our members. It was generally an interesting, enjoyable and empowering experience. For some it was the first time they had visited their local MLA and probably not the last!
We asked questions regarding our MLAs’ views and promises made, listened to the responses, and had commitments to ask questions in estimates about Boomanulla Oval and Ngunnawal Bush Healing Farm fulfilled (see P1084).
This part of our campaign is now concluded – though additional meetings are being planned in Yerrabi. We will now focus on letter writing and asking questions at candidate forums and stalls. This is a great way of elevating the priorities of representative bodies like ATSIEB and the United Ngunnawal Elders Council, ensuring our elected representative and candidates know that what concerns Aboriginal people in the ACT concerns us too, and keeping faith with the Yes23 leaders.
Community Council forums
- Thursday 19 September 7pm – Weston Creek Community Council, venue TBA
- Wednesday 2 October 7pm – Woden Valley Community Council, Canberra College
- Thursday 3 October 7pm – Tuggeranong Community Council, Tuggeranong Arts Centre
Canberra Alliance for Participatory Democracy (CAPaD) Know Your Candidate Forums
Come along to hear candidates respond to questions seeking to know about their qualifications and diverse experience; leadership experience; how they are going to engage the community; how they will prioritise community interests and wellbeing over personal, party or donor interests; how they will report back to the community; and how they would demonstrate the qualities Canberrans expect.
- Murrumbidgee – Sunday 22 September – 2-4pm, St James Uniting Church, Curtin
- Ginninderra – Monday 23 September – 7-9pm, Belconnen Community Centre
- Kurrajong – Tuesday 24 September – 7.30-9pm, Currie Cres Community Hall, Kingston
- Brindabella – Sunday 29 September – 2-4pm, Tuggeranong Community Centre Hall
- Yerrabi – Monday 30 September – 7-8.30pm, Forde Community Centre
If you would like to get involved in this campaign, please contact Active Democracy Bean (activedemocracybean@outlook.com).
Authorised by Janet Hunt on behalf of ANTaR ACT.
Events coming up
LOCAL Politics in the Pub
Monday 16 September, 5.30-7.30pm, Austrian Australian Club, Heard St, Mawson
This Politics in the Pub event will include:
- the launch of the Election Scorecard
- a speaker on Boomanulla Oval and the Ngunnawal Bush Healing Farm, and
- a report from Canberra Alliance for Participatory Democracy (CAPaD) on their Democracy in Action! Conversations to guide voters in the upcoming election.
The local Politics in the Pub series consists of informal locally focused events on the third Monday of each month. People gather from 5.30pm, with a speaker and Q&A from 6pm, and the option of dinner afterwards for those interested.
Clever Country: an Aboriginal Perspective on Landscape
Wednesday 18 September, 6-7.30pm, National Library of Australia theatre & online
Join the Friends of the National Library of Australia and the ACT Monaro Riverina Branch of the Australian Garden History Society (AGHS) for their annual joint lecture at The National Library, presented by Adj. Professor Margo Ngawa Neale.
Land is viewed as ‘Country’ in Aboriginal Australia. It is a worldview that embodies a oneness with nature and its many manifestations through the seasons, weather and land formations. It is not a view of nature as the term landscape implies in the western view. Our history is written in the land. Country is our archive, it is where our knowledge, law and identity reside. Country holds information, stories and secrets – from medicine, engineering, ecology and astronomy; to social mores on how to live well and sustainably on this planet, and with each other. If Country holds such knowledge, then Country is clever.
Cost involved, more information and bookings: Clever Country: an Aboriginal Perspective on Landscape | National Library of Australia
Deadly Choices Expansion Launch
Thursday 26 September, 11am, Winnunga, 63 Boolimba Cres, Narrabundah
Deadly Choices is a preventative health program of the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH). It aims to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to make healthy choices for themselves and their families.
Join Winnunga for the launch of Deadly Choices’ expansion across NSW, ACT, Victoria and Tasmania, with a free BBQ and meeting the Deadly Choices Ambassadors.
More information on Facebook: Deadly Choices event – Winnunga | Facebook
Black Witness with Amy McQuire
Friday 27 September, 11am, online
Join journalist and author Amy McQuire for this free webinar to discuss her book ‘Black Witness, Australia’s Biggest Book Club book for September 2024. A searing indictment of the media’s failures in reporting Indigenous affairs – and a powerful corrective that shows how Black journalism can pave the way for equality and justice. Australia’s Biggest Book Club is brought to you by the Australia Institute.
More information and registration: Black Witness Webinar Registration – Zoom
Deadly Dialogues: Karlie Noon and Celeste Carnegie
Wednesday 2 October, 6-7pm, National Library of Australia theatre & online
Join astrophysicist and author Karlie Noon in conversation with Celeste Carnegie as they discuss the astronomic heritage of Noon’s Kamilaroi Peoples and her journey as an ambassador for youth and astronomy. Karlie Alinta Noon is an accomplished scholar from the Kamilaroi Nation in east Australia with degrees in mathematics, physics, an advanced masters of astronomy and is currently undertaking a PhD in astronomy at the Australian National University. Karlie uses her extensive experience in science communication and media to advocate for the importance of Indigenous stewardship in astronomy and space practices.
Free event, bookings required for in-person attendance, more information: Deadly Dialogues: Karlie Noon and Celeste Carnegie | National Library of Australia (nla.gov.au)
Ever Present: First Peoples Art of Australia
National Gallery of Australia, Level 1
Opening Saturday 14 September 2024 to 24 August 2025
Following a national and international tour, Ever Present: First Peoples Art of Australia returns to Kamberri/Canberra for its final showing at the National Gallery.
A survey of historical and contemporary works of art by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists from across Australia, this exhibition draws from the national collection and the Wesfarmers Collection of Australian Art. Although Ever Present is a celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, it does not shy away from Australia’s complex histories. The works challenge stereotypes about First Nations people and what defines their art. The artists contest populist views of Australian history, using art as a tool of resistance and replacing physical weaponry with wit, satire and juxtaposition to confront viewers and encourage conversations that are essential to disputing outdated myths and ideologies.
Free with ticket. More information: Ever Present – National Gallery of Australia (nga.gov.au).
- Opening weekend events
Saturday 14 September
Including Welcome and Smoking Ceremony, performances, talks and workshops. Free with ticket. More information: Opening Weekend: Ever Present – National Gallery of Australia (nga.gov.au). - School Holiday Workshop: Art Steps by Billy Bain
Daily, 10.30am, Sat 28 Sep – Sun 13 Oct, Tim Fairfax Learning Studio
In this Art Steps, Dharug artist Billy Bain welcomes us into his wonderful world of clay and sgraffito. ‘In my ceramic work I like to use pointy tools to carve into the clay to create linework and detail, much like sketching out a drawing. This is called sgraffito! I see my sculptures as being an extension of my drawing practice. It is like bringing my drawings to life!’
Free, limited numbers. Bookings essential: School Holiday Workshop: Art Steps by Billy Bain – National Gallery of Australia (nga.gov.au).
Belonging
National Museum of Australia, to 10 March 2025
Belonging: Stories from Far North Queensland is the third in a three-part exhibition series that captures generations of cultural knowledge shaped by a profound relationship to Country. In these vibrant and innovative works, emerging and established First Nations artists from across Far North Queensland and the Torres Strait explore new materials and techniques as they share what it means to belong. More information: Belonging | National Museum of Australia (nma.gov.au).
- School Holiday Workshops: Coastal Creations, Tidal Treasures: Shell Mobiles and Jellyfish Sculptures
Various dates, Monday 30 September to Friday 11 October
Join established and emerging First Nations artists from the Pormpuraaw Arts and Culture Centre in Far North Queensland for a series of workshops in conjunction with the exhibition Belonging: Stories from Far North Queensland.
Costs involved, bookings essential: Spring School Holidays 2024 by National Museum of Australia | Eventbrite - Ghost Net Sculptures
11am-1.30pm, Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 October
Join senior First Nations artists from Pormpuraaw Art and Culture Centre in Far North Queensland in this ghost net sculpture workshop.
Costs involved, bookings essential: Ghost net sculptures Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite - Meet the Artists
2.30, Saturday 12 October, Focus Gallery
Engage with First Nations artists featured in Belonging: Stories from Far North Queensland, alongside curator Catherine Czerw. Hear about their works, discuss the Belonging project and explore their deep connections to Country.
Costs involved, bookings essential: Belonging – meet the artists Tickets, Sat, Oct 12, 2024 at 2:30 PM | Eventbrite
Mara Boomerang Children’s Workshop
Various dates, 3 – 11 October, times vary between 10am and 2pm, National Arboretum, Canberra
A fun and engaging Boomerang Workshop for children. Mara Boomerang means ‘Pathway of the Boomerang’ in Ngunnawal language. This interactive session introduces kids to the fascinating world of boomerangs, blending hands-on learning with exciting outdoor activity. Our Indigenous Educator will share the history of these hunting tools and encourage creativity in decorating a personalised boomerang to take home. Perfect for children aged 7-12, (younger children also fine with a carer present) this event promises a memorable experience filled with discovery and fun.
Cost involved, bookings required, more information: Mara Boomerang Children’s Workshop – National Arboretum (act.gov.au)
ANTaR ACT wish to 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 region. We also acknowledge other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who may visit this area.