ABORIGINAL ACHIEVEMENT IS AUSTRALIAN ACHIEVEMENT
The Aboriginal Lands Trust of South Australia unequivocally condemns Senator Pauline Hanson’s disgraceful and deeply offensive claim that First Nations peoples have “achieved nothing” or contributed nothing to Australia.
These comments are not simply ignorant, they are racist, harmful, and entirely disconnected from the truth of this country. For more than 60,000 years, First Nations peoples have cared for Country, sustained complex systems of law and governance, developed sophisticated environmental and land-management practices, and maintained the world’s oldest continuing culture.
South Australia alone bears witness to many remarkable national “firsts”:
- Ngarrindjeri man David Unaipon was Australia’s first published Aboriginal author, as well as a gifted inventor, thinker, and advocate
- Yankunytjatjara woman Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue became the first Aboriginal trainee nurse at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, the first Aboriginal woman appointed to the Order of Australia, and one of this nation’s most influential leaders
- Sir Douglas Nicholls became the first Aboriginal Governor in Australia when he was appointed Governor of South Australia
- South Australia established Australia’s oldest Aboriginal land-holding body the Aboriginal Lands Trust in 1966
- South Australian Aboriginal leaders have helped shape national reforms in health, land rights, native title, reconciliation, and public administration.
These are only a few examples.
Aboriginal South Australians contribute to our State every single day across industry, education, health, disability, aged care, the arts, sport, business, law, government, environmental management, construction, agriculture, community services, and many other fields. They are entrepreneurs, teachers, nurses, carers, artists, tradespeople, professionals, business owners, public servants, community leaders and workers strengthening South Australia’s economy and communities.
The achievements of our people are not diminished because Senator Hanson refuses to recognise them. Aboriginal achievement is South Australian achievement, and it is Australian achievement.
Statements of this kind cause real harm. They embolden racism, undermine social cohesion, and send an appalling message to Aboriginal children and young people about how their identity, history and potential are regarded by a member of the Australian Parliament.
The Aboriginal Lands Trust calls upon the Australian and South Australian Governments and elected representatives from every side of politics to reject these comments publicly and unequivocally. Racism must never be normalised, excused, or dismissed as political opinion.
Leadership requires more than silence. It requires the courage to call this behaviour what it is and to stand together against it.
The Aboriginal Lands Trust stands proudly with First Nations peoples across Australia. Our people have contributed immeasurably to this country, and we will continue to lead, achieve and shape its future.