2023-03-01
At Mardi Gras, protesting pipelines, at a Senate inquiry into Missing and Murdered First Nations Women and Children, in Senate Estimates and campaigning for a Truth-telling Commission in WA
By Senator Dorinda Cox
Just celebrated Mardi Gras in Sydney. Mardi Gras is a celebration of resilience. Amid the glitter and sequins, it’s part party and part protest. As a proud ally, I was pleased to have the opportunity to march with my Greens colleagues alongside the proud, diverse and fabulous LGBTQIA+ community, their families and allies. Since 1978, the community has been protesting for equality at Mardi Gras, and it was an honour to walk Oxford Street with Ray, one of the 78ers. We’re making progress on equality in Australia but we still have much work to do. Happy Mardi Gras and World Pride!
Recently I was in the Pilliga forest in NSW, having met with the region’s Traditional Owners in Narrabri and visited the sites of Santos’ gas pipeline.
As the Australian Greens spokesperson for Resources, and now, First Nations, I feel immensely re
sponsible for elevating the voices of First Nations people in their fight against fossil fuel companies across the country.
Before the Pilliga, I was in Coffs Harbour with Senator David Shoebridge for the first on-country hearings of the Senate inquiry into Missing and Murdered First Nations Women and Children. The committee heard from families, community leaders and service providers, receiving important evidence that will inform our report later this year.
The last parliamentary sitting week was dedicated to senate estimates. I asked over 100 questions throughout the week including probing CSIRO on their recent report on fracking, the Australian War Memorial’s work on the frontier wars, the role of DFAT’s new First Nations trade ambassador, IP Australia’s work on protecting Indigenous knowledges, and questioning the offshore regulator, NOPSEMA, on their interactions with Santos’ Barossa gas project.
It was with gratitude and humility that I accepted the First Nations portfolio following Senator Thorpe’s departure. It’s a big job in an important year for First Nations people and I’ll be working hard to elevate the key issues affecting Mob across the country, while continuing my work in my Resources, Trade, Tourism and Science portfolios.
Last month, I kicked off a campaign with Brad Pettitt MP calling for a Truth-telling Commission in WA. Truth-telling and Treaty making are core components of the Uluṟu Statement from the Heart and I’ll be pursuing progress on them both alongside securing a positive outcome on the Voice referendum later this year. I look forward to continuing to work with Minister Linda Burney to ensure the best outcomes for First Nations communities.
Good outcomes for First Nations people includes those severely affected by this year’s floods in the Kimberley. I haven’t forgotten how much work will need to happen to rebuild their lives and livelihoods.
Header photo: With Adam Bandt MP, Stephen Bates MP and Senator Mehreen Faruqi at Mardi Gras