REMEMBERING SENATOR NEVILLE BONNER AND HIS LEGACY

Senator Neville Bonner AO, a Jagera Elder, was born on Ukerebagh Island on the Tweed River in 1922. In 1971, he became the first indigenous person elected to federal parliament. His voice was an important continuation for the efforts of our First Peoples voices to be heard, recognised and revered in the Australian story.

Prior to entering politics, Senator Bonner worked hard across a variety of jobs like many others though within a system that saw himself, his family and other Aboriginal people treated differently with discrimination and racism often the norm. He became an advocate for change, challenging others to act – “if it’s a bad law, then let us change the law”. Senator Bonner looked to bring others together toward an understanding to do what he felt was right for Australia and our First Peoples.

The 1960s were the start of a significant shift for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who by 1965 had finally received the right to vote in all state and federal elections. The successful 1967 referendum laid the foundation for future legislation, allowing the government to make specific laws for our First Peoples to address inequalities and was an important symbol of recognition.

Senator Bonner’s entry to parliament four years later heralded the first time an Indigenous voice was heard from an elected official within the chambers, and an important step forward in bringing forth Indigenous perspectives to government.

To develop and enact laws made for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, a collaborative relationship between governments and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples is fundamental to their success. It is well known a gap exists between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Reconciliation requires a coming together of ideas, cultural understanding and commitment. Senator Bonner fought hard to bring people together and work with them – for Aboriginal people, the people of Queensland and Australia.

He served in the Senate for the Liberal Party until 1983 with a drive and strength of character to be admired. He made numerous contributions to parliament urging the government to acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as Traditional Owners and seeking compensation for their dispossession. He was the first back bencher to introduce a Government Bill and have that Bill passed when he introduced the Aboriginal Development Commission Bill. He voted for what he believed in and was no-one’s puppet crossing the floor 34 times, the fourth highest of any Member or Senator.

After he left parliament, Bonner lamented the fact that there would no longer be an Australian Aboriginal voice in federal parliament. Without adequate representation, how can governments rightly be trusted by our First Peoples given the grossly inequitable treatment they had received in the past? With time, others would be heard.

Senator Bonner showed it was possible. He was a trailblazer who laid the foundation for others. His story shows that Aboriginal people like myself, can be part of the change our First Peoples need, and what Australia needs. To date there have now been 11 Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander representatives in Federal parliament from both sides of politics. There are many more that continue to advocate for our people across Australia. It is important for the Australian story to have these perspectives and have our First Peoples’ stories told lest they be forgotten, and be listened to, allowing us to mature as a nation.

Regrettably many corners of Australia have not embraced our First Nations Peoples’ stories or have just not understood and heard them.  The divisions that remain between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australia leave us all poorer as a result. The Australian story aspires to be one of mateship, community and a deep love for our flora, fauna, lands, seas and waterways. These have been held in deep regard by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for 60,000+ years and continue to be today. We would do well to listen to their advice and wisdom. The time is far overdue to acknowledge their rightful place in our institutions, and in our hearts.

I am encouraged by the steps taken already toward a better future. Announced in July 2020, the New National Agreement on Closing Gap between the Coalition of Peak Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Organisations, and all Australian Governments, demonstrates how we can all work together in ways that Senator Bonner would have been proud. As Senator Neville Bonner put it at the Constitutional Convention 1998:

From the bottom of my heart, I pray, stop this senseless division. Let us work together on the real issues, let us solve those problems which haunt my people, the problem of land, of health, unemployment, of the despair and hopelessness that leads even to suicide. Let us unite this country, not divide it ever!

There remains much to do, and much to learn from each other.