2023-10-13
By Dorinda Cox
Senator for WA
It has been a year of highs and lows, that reminds us that our lived experiences add layers of depth to how we view, react, interact and appreciate the world around us. With that in mind, I acknowledge that this year representing the people of Western Australia in the Senate has been challenging, inspiring and rewarding for our Greens team and movement.
I bring to my role a perspective that is shaped by my own lived experiences and as the first First Nations woman to represent WA in the Federal parliament, that can be empowering but at times, a stark reality check. We have generations of injustices behind us and we are slowly making progress, yet there is still the gut wrenching devastation of deaths in custody, deaths due to family violence, poverty and entrenched racism.
Being a federal parliamentarian is a privilege and I am determined to make a difference by challenging the system, asking - at times - uncomfortable questions and listening to those who voted me in, and who I represent. I am always grateful for the support and collaboration of my fellow Greens MPs as we continue to fight for climate and First Nations justice.
On democracy and justice, the Yes campaign got into full swing once the date for the Voice to Parliament Referendum was announced as 14 October. We are fortunate to have so many passionate voices and supporters who are willing to commit their time and energy to strive for a successful result and real change for First Nations people. Having a Voice to Parliament will take us a step closer to truth-telling and agreement making. I travelled to Barunga Festival (the only non-government parliamentarian to attend), to witness the signing of the Barunga Voice Declaration by the four Land Councils of the NT, supporting the Voice to Parliament.
I was honoured to attend the Garma Festival, Australia’s largest Indigenous gathering celebrating Yolngu life and culture. Garma is hosted by the Yothu Yindi Foundation and held at a significant Gumatji ceremonial site. This year was a tribute to the inspiring Dr Yunupingu. I spoke on a panel at the Wi Yi Yani U Thangani First Nations Women’s Summit attended by over 900 First Nations women from across the country. It was an immense honour to be inducted into the WA Women’s Hall of Fame on the eve of International Women’s Day.
Committees and Inquiries
One of the most harrowing but rewarding committees I work on is the Murdered and Missing First Nations Women and Children Committee. Gaining broad parliamentary support for the MMFNWC committee was heartening, and we have had several hearings that have shone a spotlight on the tragedy of family and other violence that causes so much pain. I will continue to work to ensure that real change comes from hearing the voices of the loved ones left behind. They deserve justice, change and healing.
The first hearing for the inquiry into the Perth Mint was held in July in Canberra and was the first of several hearings that will inquire into and report on, the corporate and regulatory compliance of Gold Corporation and its trading entity, the Perth Mint, with Commonwealth legislation. In my capacity as Deputy Chair of this inquiry I will continue to scrutinise the mint’s operations.
I have been a participating member on the following committees; the Joint Select Committee on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Constitutional Alteration Bill which handed down its report in June, the Senate Committee on Economics for the Rehabilitation of the Ranger Mine, The Joint Select Committee on Trade, Investment and Growth and as a standing member on the Joint Select Committee on Treaties working on the UK and Indian Free Trade Agreements and other forms of minor treaties. I have recently been appointed a standing member of the Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs.
Resources
I continue to stand with Traditional Owners fighting to protect their cultural heritage for together we are stronger. I introduced a Private Senator’s Bill (Spirit of Sea Country Bill 2023) to Parliament that is designed to ensure that Traditional Owners and knowledge holders are included in the definition of ‘relevant people’ who must be consulted with. The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Amendment (Protecting the Spirit of Sea Country) Bill 2023 requires standards of consultation with Traditional Owners to be developed, ensures they are included as ‘relevant people’ in the consultation process and ensures that underwater cultural heritage is identified and protected under the environment plan and the offshore project proposals.
It is unacceptable that fossil fuel companies can submit Environmental Plans for offshore projects without consulting Traditional Owners and it is time to change that in favour of genuine and meaningful consultation. It was wonderful to be supported by Peter Whish-Wilson and Tiwi Traditional Owner Pirrawayingi Puruntatameri, who is Mayor of Tiwi Islands, Munupi Traditional Owner and a Senior Lore Man, Therese Bourke and Antonia Burke, Community Campaigner and Indigenous Human Rights Advocate (Yanyuwa/Garrwa Traditional Owner).
I was a keynote speaker for the WA Renewables and Critical Minerals Superpower Summit organised by the Smart Energy Council, and I gave the opening Address at the Earth Science Convention also held in Perth.
I was fortunate enough to attend the first week of COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt on behalf of The Green Institute and represent the views of the Australian Greens on the world stage. I spoke at the Indigenous Peoples Organisation event held at the Australian Pavilion and highlighted the hypocrisy of the government ignoring the voices of First Nations people back home who are standing up to mining corporations destroying their Country and cultural heritage while black washing its pavilion at COP. Despite this, I had some very productive conversations with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and members of the Australian delegation on how they can work more collaboratively with First Nations people.
Sport
I am honoured to have taken on the Greens’ Sports Portfolio in May. It is important to maintain pressure against corporate sponsorship by mining companies who attempt to greenwash their image and gain social licence through sport. I am supporting a campaign to urge the Fremantle Dockers not to renew its corporate sponsorship deal with Woodside. Campaigns such as this send strong messages to companies from our community about their climate and habitat wrecking fossil fuel industries.
Accessibility, women, racism, funding levels and infrastructure are all key issues requiring commitments by Governments at all levels for sports in our communities.
Tourism and Trade
I visited Indonesia while on an Australian Political Exchange Council (APEC) tour, to foster relationships between our two nations. I travelled to Yogyakarta, Jakarta, Semarang and visited culturally and historically important sites. I met with Indonesian Government officials which provided an opportunity to share knowledge and culture with our near neighbours, and as Greens Tourism portfolio holder it’s beneficial to see how other nations market their country and culture as a tourist destination. As the Australian Greens Trade portfolio holder, I also gained a deeper understanding of Australia’s trade relationships with Indonesia. Throughout WA and Australia there are many diverse and culturally rich environments that are important to protect so that generations to come can experience them. I attended the Australian Tourism Awards in Sydney and was pleased there were such fantastic WA winners.
Western Australia
It is an honour to represent the diverse and beautiful state of WA that I was born in and I enjoy travelling to be on-Country, walking alongside communities, advocates and Greens members who are doing the hard yards to make a difference. I enjoyed yarning at the annual Yule River Bush Meeting in the Pilbara and I congratulate Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation (YMAC) for an effective and efficient meeting. Most importantly, I was inspired by the work that’s been done to form the Call to Action to governments - a list of community concerns and an invitation to government agencies and other organisations in the Pilbara to work together to close the gap to improve outcomes for First Nations people.
I have worked alongside my colleague Brad Pettitt MLC on a petition calling for the establishment of a Truth-telling and Justice Commission in WA, which has received community support from nearly 750 people.
WA has a number of ongoing injustices towards First Nations peoples that haven’t been responded to and the commission would provide a mechanism to hold the State Government to account and ensure that services are designed and operated in a culturally safe way. The model is for a commission similar to the Yoorrook Justice Commission in Victoria, that’s able to make broad recommendations about practical actions and reforms to address systemic racial issues.
In September I hosted an Australian Defence Forces intern, as part of the Parliamentary office team, Leading Aircraftswoman Milliscent Cox, a proud Wonnarua woman.
I am proud of the fact that as a party, the Australian Greens have a shared vision of protecting the environment and phasing out coal and gas. We elevate and activate grassroots democracy, giving power to the people and ensuring we keep our commitment to use our balance of power to achieve change.
We will continue to take a strong stance in our determination to recognise injustice, ensure there is a safe space for truth-telling, and fight projects that destroy the environment, accelerate climate change and trample the rights of First Nations people.
– Dorinda