The Indigenous-Aboriginal Party of Australia has finally received registration at the 11th hour from the Australian Electoral Commission and will field a candidate for the seat of Robertson in the Federal election, due by May 2022.
Former candidate, Tracey Howie, who has withdrawn from the race due to her expanding responsibilities as an Indigenous archaeologist, will be replaced by Jeff Lawson.
Lawson said his main aim was to raise awareness of environmental, cultural, and social issues being faced by Coasties, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous.
“I am a person who believes in action; I believe in speaking up for, and supporting, those in our community who may not have a voice or the confidence to speak up for themselves,” Lawson said.
“Let’s get back to basics and remove the roadblocks that are helping to create a two-tiered society.
“Education is a big leveller; we need to get back to free tertiary education, TAFE and university.
“Current generations, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, should have the same benefits that previous generations (including many of our current politicians) had – a free tertiary education.”
Lawson said Australia’s rates of youth suicide and Indigenous incarceration are among the worst in the world.
“We have a lot of issues among our mob,” he said.
“Yes, there are very complex generational trauma issues, but we must start somewhere.
“We need to start taking care of our youth in more imaginative ways, so they don’t end up incarcerated or contemplating suicide.
“I will call for Indigenous Youth headspaces, where young people can go knowing they can talk to a trained Indigenous person, someone who will understand their issues like no-one else.”
Lawson said he would also advocate for Recognised Indigenous Healing Services to be added to Medicare.
“This service would support taking Indigenous youth onto Country where they can learn about culture and build their sense of self and community,” he said.
“This type of therapy has been proven to help turn the lives around of young men and women lost in a world of self-abuse and depression.
“There is absolutely no reason why this wouldn’t have the same positive results for non-Indigenous youth as well.”
A Dharruk Nation official, Lawson is also the Indigenous representative for his employer, the State Transit Authority.
He is a huge supporter of the support group Dads in Distress and intends to ask the Federal Government what actions it will take to reduce violence against women.
“I fully back politicians like Zali Steggall and, if elected, will stand up for women in Parliament,” he said.
“All major institutions should have a ‘prevention of violence against women’ officer, and that includes Parliament House.”
A bus driver based at Ryde, Lawson said he would be looking to move to the Central Coast, where he has close connections and cultural ties, as soon as possible.
“While I understand that the Central Coast has a rapidly growing population and some urban development is required, I am also very passionate about preserving culturally important land,” he said.
“For example, the whole Kariong ridgeline is Aboriginal Sacred Lands and should be heritage registered.
“I will call for reform of the Aboriginal Land Rights Act to ensure Traditional Custodians have more rights over their own Country.
“Currently all power is with the Local Land Councils which is not acceptable.
“Local Land Councils are supposed to represent all Aboriginal groups in an area, and yet this is not happening.
“They have too much power and can decide to develop a piece of culturally significant land against Traditional Custodians’ wishes; the Kariong Sacred Lands are a case in point.”
Lawson said it was time to have Indigenous voices heard in Parliament and he wants to give the residents of the Central Coast the chance to vote for an alternate party, especially in Robertson electorate
“The main parties tried to silence us by making the registration process to become a political party a bureaucratic nightmare.
“But we prevailed because we have a huge swell of community support who believe it’s time to have Indigenous voices heard in Parliament.”
Source:
Media release, Dec 13
Indigenous-Aboriginal Party of Australia