FISA welcomes support by Indigenous Australians

FISA today welcomed the strong support presented by Aboriginal Social JusticeCommissioner Mr Tom Calma. Mr Calma is an Aboriginal elder from the Kungarakantribal group and a member of the Iwaidja tribal group whose traditional lands aresouth west of Darwin and on the Coburg Peninsula in Northern Territory,respectively. Mr Calma has rendered over 35 years of distinguished service to thecommunity. He has been a strong advocate for multiculturalism in Australia and he isan expert on India as he worked as a senior Australia diplomat in India from 1995 to2002.
 
FISA is pleased that after years of campaigning on equality and social inclusionprominent Australians such as Mr Tom Calma have joined the chorus to lead theneed for real social change.
 
While speaking on the topic Mr Gautam Gupta, FISA Spokesman said, “Australia asa society gives full democratic rights to everyone however as Mr Calma said, theinherent racism is such that many new and emerging communities are locked out ofmany services and institutions.”
 
He further added that, “Indians do not have access to culturally relevant aged carecentres, community centre, resource centre, specialist mental health services, sportsfacilities and legal services. It means that social inclusion remains an issue for thecommunity.”
 
FISA believes that the issue of indigenous Australians is a special one and deservesall the attention and resources. He said, “There are many aspects of the way we, asAustralians, have handled the matter of indigenous people – almost all decisionstaken to help aboriginals are taken without their consent and they remain shut outfrom mainstream institutes.”
 
When asked for solutions, Gautam said, “Australian Footy League has shown theway on this front. The way AFL has engaged the community and positivelytransformed many indigenous communities could be taken as an eye-opener andfollowed by many institutes such as Police, Cricket Australia etc.”
 
On the question of National apology by Prime Minister Mr Kevin Rudd, Gautam said,“I was moved by that important gesture by the PM. It displayed his strongcommitment to promoting indigenous rights. However years after the apology,nothing has changed on the ground. As a nation, we have missed a greatopportunity to correct the wrongs of the past so aptly recognised by the parliament. Iwas hopeful that the great Australian shame of the past will be wiped-out with anapplication of love and action.”
 
He further added, “it is still not late for PM and his colleagues to take their pledge toserve all Australians seriously and be accountable. It will take strong leadership tocommit to positive change and I believe the PM has that leadership.”
 
While questioning on public support for action against racism, Gautam said, “Timeand again all political elite in Australia has suggested that there is hardly any racismin Australia, and if there is [any racism] it is limited to a very small minority. If webelieve that, than anti-racism should be a popular election plank and all partiesshould raise the issue of alienating and eliminating this small minority. This is a greattime for us to take cue from Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young and rise to theoccasion. By denying or dodging we are risking of letting the small minority win.”
 
He further said that, “we will pledge our support to any party or parties that will workto improve Indigenous health and wellbeing and offer pro-active strategies to counterviolence and racism. I know that we will be joined by thousands of people who aregenuinely concerned about human rights and all those who feel disenfranchised bythe inherent racism in our institutions.”
 
Contact:
Amit Menghani, President – president@fisa.org.au
Gautam Gupta, Spokesman – 0413211534; chair@fisa.org.au