On 19 June, I had the pleasure of attending the Australian Council of Trade Unions’ (ACTU) Our Voice Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Conference held in Brisbane on the lands of the Turrbal and Jagera people.
First Nations peoples are the oldest living continuing culture. First Nations people should have a voice in their own country.
ACTU Secretary Sally McManus said First Nations People have historically shown the power of collective action, strike power and resistance – the most oppressed people have shown the greatest collective action. McManus said it’s time to have pride in our country and its history, time to step up. Trade unions will be there for Voice, Treaty, Truth.
ACTU President Michele O’Neil spoke about how union history has not always been great. Unions supported the White Australia policy of 1901, this impacted the First Nations Peoples who were considered a ‘dying race’, not something to be proud of.
In 1940-1950, unions opened their eyes and saw the value of Aboriginal struggle. In 1963, the ACTU backed the campaign for wage equality for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers. Unions have grown.
Steve Mann, a proud Torres Strait Islander and the Queensland State Coordinator for the Yes 23 project said regardless of the outcome, we have created a space to be a stronger community, and a chance for conversation.