Meanwhile, Liberal Party senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price has played down comments she made during her inaugural address.
Speaking to 2GB’s Ben Fordham, Price reiterated her belief that an Indigenous voice in parliament is not the right way forward, saying she is instead keen to see “real change” implemented for Aboriginal Australians .
Senator Jacinta Price. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
“Given that many of these bodies have been tried and tested and failed, it’s not the way to go,” he said.
“Just start treating everyone like we’re Australian citizens really well.”
The Warlpiri-Celtic woman from Alice Springs represents the Northern Territory in Australia’s 47th parliament.
Yesterday, One Nation Senator Pauline Hanson walked out of the Senate chamber during the Recognition of Country and protested against the Indigenous flag being displayed in the Senate.
Price said he understood Hanson’s frustrations and said the Country Recognition was a “symbolic gesture” that did nothing to improve the lives of marginalized people.
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“We’ve been absolutely fed up with it. It’s getting to the point where it’s really taking away the sacredness of traditional culture and practices,” he said.
“It’s become almost like a byline. We want to see real action. We want to see change for the benefit of not just marginalized Australians, but all Australians.”
Price is not the only indigenous MP in his first term in this legislature. Fellow NT representative Marion Scrymgour, a Labor politician in the House of Representatives, has said she knows very well that a voice “is not mere tokenism”.
“I am proud to be part of a government that will take long overdue action on this front,” he said recently.
And regarding Hanson’s recent actions in the Senate, Greens return senator Lidia Thorpe – a DjabWurrung, Gunnai and Gunditjmara woman – said yesterday that “racism has reared its ugly head”.
You can read our explanation of Voice in Parliament here.