attempting to showconfidence thatshehadthesupport attempting ForGillard was it wassuggested though part themost considered it avery risky moveby the Prime Minister. Some believed this to be a masterstroke, while others away. months eight September—some on 14 be held election would the general that Gillard announced 2013 with traditionandgenerally-accepted wisdom.InJanuary which seemed out ofstep employ somepoliticaltactics The Australian publichasalsoseen the Government and womengenerally. and discriminatoryrhetorictowardsthePrime Minister if youwill,ofmistreatment It wasafightback,calling of the Opposition ... that is all we have heard fromhim’. is allwehave ...that of theOpposition behaviour. ‘Misogyny,leader every dayfromthis sexism, inappropriate attitudes and as the OppositionLeader’s strongly to what she (and many observers) regarded Prime the persisted undercurrents responded Minister these to thetreatmentofwomeninpubliclife.Whilst views of the roleof women and drew attention particular that inher opinion,continued toreflect stereotypical 2010, MsGillardhadbeensubjectedtoarangeofcriticisms to officein Since heraccession about womeninpolitics. confronting OppositionLeader, Tony Abbott,onhisviews debate with the then Prime Minister, , we 2012 witnessed In October the heightof the gender women specifically within the current politicallandscape. Islander people and AboriginalTorresIslander Strait and Torresof Aboriginal participation formal the Strait on examine thewaygenderandracedebatesmayimpact emotive andoccasionallyvituperative.Thispaperwill Indigenous representationandgenderedpoliticshasbeen tax, asylumseekerpolicy,issues asdiversethecarbon parliament andthepoliticalleadership. Publicdebate on for offering manychallenges change, political significant decision-making. Ithasbeenayearofunpredictabilityand firm standonpolicy issues andclaimlegitimacyintheir parliament, withbothsidesofpoliticsseekingtopresenta political engagementdueinparttothecomplexityofahung year for have emergedasa critical The past12months INDIGENOUS POLITICAL ASPIRATIONS POLITICAL INDIGENOUS AND THETIDESOFCHANGE

by MichelleDeshong 1

Year on toworkinyouth gone since andhas in2007 in 1996. Olympic Gold medal when she played for the Hockeyroos Indigenous person(and woman)towinan part ofherlife in thepubliceye. Nova Peris wasthefirst lived alarge has and assuch woman sports Indigenous as itwasinitsexecution. Perisin itstiming isasuccessful The selectionofPeris asthekey candidate wasaspeculiar including Indigenouspolitics,partypoliticsandprocess. factors of critical number was envelopedin a selection the partyattimeofannouncement. Peristhat given important particularly was It outside was Senator,Labor Trish of service. years 15 after McCrossin, Territorysitting the current sidelining processes, branch overrode theAustralian LaborParty (‘ALP’) andNorthern many sectorsoftheAustralian community. Themove the announcementdrewconsiderablecriticismacross within thepoliticalprocess,howeverexecutionof it needed todomoreengagewithIndigenouswomen Senator.the Governmentrecognised Itwasaclearsignal in theFederal Parliament andthefirst AboriginalLabor successful, Peris wouldbethefirstAboriginalwoman picked inwhatistobeconsideredawinnableseat.If this isthefirsttimeanIndigenous candidate hasbeen top spotontheticketisalmostcertainlyelected, hence one to the Liberals/Nationals. The candidate with the politics aresuchthatinvariably one goes toLaborand two SenateseatsfortheNorthernTerritory and party election, essentially making a ‘captain’s pick’. a ‘captain’s election, essentiallymaking Territoryfor theNorthern Senateseatintheupcoming numberone spotonthepartyticket would occupyLabor’s PerisNova that on theagendawithGillardannouncing Indigenous women inthe Parliament was placed high calculated move.On22January2013,theissueof also drawing on the moment, Gillard made another and perhaps announcement, election the to Subsequent Rudd plottingacomeback. Kevinabout test, especiallywithcontinuedspeculation of the Australianpublic andwaswillingtoputthatthe 4 She was proclaimed as Youngproclaimed as was She Australian of the 2 3 Thereare Thusthe 3 INDIGENOUS LAW BULLETIN July / August 2013, ILB Volume 8, Issue 7 4 INDIGENOUS LAW BULLETIN July / August 2013, ILB Volume 8, Issue 7 Party’. to Peris sayingithad‘correctedawrongwithintheLabor ALP nationalpresidentWarren Mundine,lenthissupport the Liberals. Labor butwitnessedaswing of1.42percenttoward of Hasluck.Prior to2010,Hasluckhadbeenheldby waselectedfortheWestern Australian seat of theHouseRepresentativeswhenLiberals’ In 2010, welcomeditsfirstAboriginal member in recenttimes. has transpired in relationtoIndigenousrepresentation the complexityofthisissueconsiderationisgiventowhat especially Aboriginalpeopleoutinremote communities’. especially Anderson noted,‘Idon’tthinkTerritorians knowher, the diverseissuesfacedbyIndigenouspeople.AsAlison Territory, her community work, and herunderstanding of Peris’ commitmenttothepeopleofNorthern Backlash from the Aboriginal community questioned the Senateticket intending torunagainstCrossinforpre-selection former NorthernTerritory EducationMinisterwhowas Marion Scrymgour, anIndigenousLabormemberand Senator Trish Crossin but alsoseeminglyoverlooked community.non-Indigenous onlyaffected not move The ‘captain’s pick’drewcriticismfromtheIndigenousand and education sectors. Despite Peris’ prominence the for Labor’. Ms Peris isonlybeingused asapublicrelationsexercise to standupforthehardfightthatiscomingourway... Peris saying,‘I don’t have the confidence in her ability choice of Anderson, condemned the Prime Minister’s Prominent Aboriginalsovereigntycampaigner, Michael same wayfornon-Indigenousrepresentatives. political gestures does not permeate the discourse in the profile rolesandtherhetoricabouttokenismorcynical broadly foranyIndigenouspersonmovingintohigh and responsibilityfromtheIndigenouscommunitymore this particularcase.Thereisahighlevelofexpectation can alsobetrueandthiswaswitnessedinextremes must supporteachother allthetime. Infact,the opposite Indigenous peoplerelateasahomogenousgroupand identity. Withinassumed that allevents itmaybe these but alsofacecriticisminrelationtohergenderandcultural centre ofmediaattention,havingtodefendherposition Labor executive. for Peris afterconsultationwiththeNorthernTerritory support affirmed subsequently 2013) inJuly Minister July 2013,(sincebeingreinstatedasPrime Independent and GleniceSmithfortheGreens) out having threeIndigenouscandidates (DotHenryasan 9 ThisinturnmeantthatPeris foundherselfatthe 8 Yet otherIndigenousleaders,suchasformer 11 Asamarginalseatthecircumstance of 6 5 —further impactingpartyprocess.In 10 Given 7

Indigenous candidates acrossAustralia. announced recentlythathisparty would be fielding six negotiations taking place around the country. Clive Palmer with candidates Indigenous and support engage effort to The Palmer UnitedParty has alsomadeaconcerted specific Leichardtpollingboothswillmeritcloseattention. will bereturned.Regardlessoftheoutcome,resultsin Australian history. becoming thefirstIndigenousheadofgovernmentin March 2013signalled another pivotal moment, with Giles Giles asChiefMinisteroftheNorthernTerritory in representative beingelected.TheappointmentofAdam of seven increased the possibility of anIndigenous Development Officer, Billy Gordon, Entsch. Innisfail resident and previous Community againsttheLiberalincumbentMP,election Warren population. Two localIndigenousmenarevyingfor Torres Strait,thuscontainingasignificantIndigenous the country, stretchingfromCairnstoCape York andthe electorate towatch.Itisoneof the largestelectoratesin interesting willbean of Leichhardt The Queenslandseat Party (‘CLP’). Liberal Country inthe ofwhomare majority members, a Parliament nowhassevenIndigenous of astrongIndigenousvoterturnout.Asresultthe with a6.7percentswingagainstLaborinthecontext analysis showedsignificantvotershiftawayfromLabor electorates and in particular inthe bush seats. The a recordnumberofIndigenouscandidatesacrossall In theNorthernTerritory electionsin2012therewas had moresuccessinelectingIndigenousrepresentatives. through bothWyatt andGiles,non-Laborpartieshave across many parties to seek change. As demonstrated with theLaborParty andarenowstartingtomobilise also moving away from the more traditional affiliation elections have been overcome. Indigenous candidates are that someofthepre-conceivedorassumedbarriersto merit asworthycontributors,itmayalsoberecognition and capacityofIndigenouspeoplestobeconsideredon election. Thisinitselfmaydemonstratethewillingness people havenominatedascandidatesforthe2013federal on Indigenouspoliticsarecordnumberof Perhaps arisingfromaconsequenceofthisnewspotlight the LNP. a marginalseatbutin2010saw4.66percentswingto time candidates.TheelectorateofLeichardtisconsidered Palmer UnitedParty.Gordon andGibsonare first Both and willstandforthenewlyestablished Opportunities Executive DirectorofIndigenousEmploymentBusiness seat forLaborwhilstBruceGibsonfromHopevaleisan 14 National level opinion polls suggest that Entsch NationallevelopinionpollssuggestthatEntsch 12

13 15 will contest the

mentoring programs for Aboriginal young people. Unlike mentoring programs forAboriginal young people.Unlike advance theDavidWirrapundaFoundation provides that had astellarcareerinsportand hasutilisedhisprofileto Greens Senator ScottLudlam. Westernsixth Australian against him pitting Senate spot will seehimvyingforthe Senate ticket.Hisnomination nominated asaNational Party representative onthe border inWesternAustralia, WirrapundaDavid also has Independent forelectioninSouthAustralia.the Across leadership inIndigenousaffairs.Hewillstandasan Australia and ofcampaigning history long a has and creek inWesternHalls from man a Jaru Green is Ribgna candidates inSouthAustralia andWestern Australia. Senate seatswillalsobecontestedbyotherIndigenous Territory electionoutcomesin2012. be particularlyvaluable, especially followingthe Northern their campaign, but ananalysis of the Indigenous vote will either oftheseIndigenouscandidateswillbesuccessfulin the CLP.to swing is potentialfora there is unlikelythat It however margin, small very bebya willagain it returned is against the Labor. to secureasmallmarginin2010after7.4percentswing the seatofLingiariforLaborsince2001,butwasonlyable Political Party. Theincumbent,Warren Snowdon,hasheld Independent and will thistime stand fortheFirst Nations previously contested the seat of Lingiari in 2010asan KennethSenate. people andwillstandforthe Lechleitner of Indigenous and recognition and campaignerforrights KunothRosemarie Monks OAMisawell-knownleader Territory.federal election intheNorthern for the2013 announced thepre-selectionoftwoIndigenouscandidates state, territoryand federal elections. AssuchtheParty has TorresIslander peopletostandascandidatesinall Strait Australians, butspecificallysupportsAboriginaland 2011. with theAustralianElectoral Commissionon6January prior totheNorthernTerritory electionsandregistered Australia’s First NationsPolitical Party was established satisfaction ratefortheGreensDeputyleader. high a polls revealing with the seat, retain to numbers the electorate. Itappears, however, thatAdam Bandt will have significant urban a in a largeanddiversefield is contesting of Representatives.Armisteadisafirsttimecandidateand becoming thefirstGreenscandidateelected to theHouse traditionally aLaborseatuntilAdam Bandt stood in2010, program inthecorporatesector. Melbournewas works asthemanagerofanIndigenousemployment for theLiberalParty. SeanisoriginallyfromDarwinand theseatofMelbourne areas, SeanArmisteadiscontesting Whilst manyofthesecandidates arenominatinginregional 17 The Party encourages membershipfromall 18 Opinion polls suggest thatif Snowdon 19 Wirrapanda, like Peris, has 16 women may be hesitant to takeonrolesinpublic lifeand women maybe hesitant and criticism. level ofscrutiny they wouldwanttobesubjected tothat stay outofthepoliticalgame’,prompting themtoaskwhy public controversy‘otherwomen watchingwillpotentially when facedwiththis many women.Itwasobservedthat her participationandhadthecapacitytodo the samefor The Prime Minister claimed thatsexism had marginalised political office. families andtheircommunitywhenseekingpositionsof their them, for consideration important an may bequite contend with. Theimpact of intersectional discrimination Perisissues to whereshehadbothgenderandcultural isolated fromthisdebateaswehaveseeninthecaseof not wasawoman.Indigenouswomenare she because that thePrime Ministerdemandedspecialtreatment that thedeploymentofso-called‘gendercard’meant unsettling. Inthebroadercontext,suggestionsweremade were bothunwelcomeand attitudes towardswomenthat andThe publicfuroreexposedarangeofbehaviours sexism debatehashadon Indigenous womeninparticular. The otheraspecttoconsideriswhatimpact,ifany, the one ofthefundamentalwaystoaddressthisvoid. mentoring opportunitiesforIndigenouswomenwillbe action strategiessuchasquotasanddevelopment/ country? Thepossibilityofpartiesengaginginaffirmative the women across for Indigenous representation formal and level of engagement same invoke the to territories and be replicatedinotherstates this is thecase,howcan been an integralpartofthepoliticalenvironment.Ifthis of Indigenous women initsParliament and thatthey have TerritoryNorthern hashadconsiderable representation Territory.Northern the that fact the may bedueto This ascandidates areinthe both Indigenouswomenstanding Indigenous women?Itisperhapsnotbyaccidentthat can weaddresstheongoingunder-representation of how and seats, inwinnable bepre-selected candidates question isstilllooming,intermsofwhenwillIndigenous of marginalseatsand votingtrends. However, thebroader analysis and afurther candidates standing of Indigenous can bemeasuredbytheincreasednumber Some success Indigenous people tobe proactive inpolitical engagement. This mobilisationdemonstratesawillingnessamongst the publicsphere. in a disparityinthewaywomenarescrutinised highlight but itdoesfurther of Senateseats are differentinterms politics. Notably, thecircumstancesandprocesses hisannouncementtoenter orbacklashfollowing criticism PerisWirrapanda though, experienced anypublic not has 20 When thisisconsidered, Indigenous 5 INDIGENOUS LAW BULLETIN July / August 2013, ILB Volume 8, Issue 7 6 INDIGENOUS LAW BULLETIN July / August 2013, ILB Volume 8, Issue 7 3 2 1 the end of apoliticalcareer’. been would have that bastard, black the said ditch that and Tony Abbotthadgoneoutandstoodnexttoasign PrimeIndigenous first the was I ‘If that analogy Minster, as awomenifshewereblack’, providingan treatment ‘Australiansthat would havebeenmoreoutragedather (as formerPrime Minister)notedinapressstatement Gillard gender butculturalidentityandraceaswell.Julia themselves todenigrationnotonly basedontheir subject 10 9 8 Ibid. 7 6 5 4 accepted priortothe2013election. and aninternationaladvocateforgenderequality. Thisarticle was Michelle DeshongisaPhDCandidateatJamesCookUniversity of allcandidates. standing for election and is not acomprehensive coverage * ThisarticlelooksatarangeofIndigenouscandidates will becriticalforIndigenousAustralia inthefuture. The ensuingdebateandanalysisoftheresult promising. and thenumbersofIndigenouscandidatesremains Sometimes ittakesoneortwotopavetheway for others representation maybea benchmark for the future. of theparties,impendingchangeinIndigenous party preferred system, policy positionsand leadership many levels.Apartfromthedebatearoundourtwo- on so The 2013federalelectionwillbeagamechanger challenges toovercome. difficult public debate.Thismayremainoneofthemost for be amatter would not race orethnicity that to suggest wash. AswitnessedinthecaseofPeris, thereisnoevidence debate doesnot racism privileged feministdebateversus The Age Judith Ireland,‘Axed ALPsenatorslams PMoverPeris pick’, senate/4478528>. au/news/2013-01-22/gillard-picks-nova-peris-to-run-for- ABC News(online),22January2013. federal-politics/political-news/kevin-rudd-backs-captains-pick- Peris’, SydneyMorningHerald(online),. News (online)