Assessment Schedule
- 26 Sept News and Politics - Oral presentation - in person
- 4 Oct Writing for the web - Web Pages - Online
- 4 October News and Politics - Community News Story Midday Online
- 11 October New Com Tech Assessment 3 - video - 11pm online -youtube and sent link
- 21 October New Com Tech - test/quiz - 80 min in lecture - closed book multiple choice
- 25 October New and Politics - Political Issue News Story Midday Online
- 26 October Writing For The Web - Web site with Critical Refl Online
- 28 October Screen Hist & research Assessment 3 - Long Essay midnight online
Sunday, 22 September 2013
Tuesday, 17 September 2013
Oral Presentation Initial points
There should NOT be reserved seats for indigenous Australians in the house of representatives, such as in New Zealand
(Background Slide)
It is also a valid point to make that the proposal is inexcusably racist, Australia prides itself on being multicultural, one would argue 'what about all the other races that make up the nation?'
Australia has always boasted of being a fair opportunity for every race, yet this would seem contrary to the proposal. What about the other hard working, striving Australian politicians who may be better suited to a seat,
but miss out to some one who simply has a certain heritage? What message does it send to them?
NZ- The percentage of Maoris compared to indigenous Australians is far more. 2.5 - 15
HISTORY: Initially suggested in a list of demands from an Indigenous representation to the then Prime Minister, the Hon Joseph Lyons, on 26 January, 1938, following the "Day of Shame" meeting.
"One seat in the House of Representatives could not provide any significant influence in either House and is most likely to be seen as a symbolic or token appointment", an ineffective measure. It would be far better for Indigenous peoples to involve themselves in the electoral system and this is certainly what is happening to date
It would be offensive, simply saying that indigenous Australians are incapable of achieving a position for what ever reason.
They wouldn't be taken seriously
Another perplexing issue is how would the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representative be appointed or elected. Currently Indigenous peoples elect Councillors in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission. It is quite possible that the ATSIC Board of Commissioners would want to appoint the Parliamentary representative from within their own ranks.
JOHN HOWARD: I think it's probably better if we continue with a system where people are chosen not on any particularly basis other than merit. Aden made it there on his own merit. The late Neville Bonna [phonetic] who we honored last night made it there on his own merit. I'm sure that in the time ahead, others will make it there on their own merit and my guess is that a large number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders would rather see themselves going into Parliament as part of the Australian community rather than through some kind of special reservation of Parliamentary seats.
The proposal for reserved seats is an irony to equality.
Equality is a fair and even chance for every single Australian citizen to succeed in an unbiased race.
I highlight a few key phrases in Kevin Rudds 2008 'Sorry Speech' to emphasize this.
Kevin Rudds Sorry speech
"A future where we harness the determination of all Australians, indigenous and non-indigenous, to close the gap that lies between us in life expectancy, educational achievement and economic opportunity."
A future where all Australians, whatever their origins, are truly equal partners, with equal opportunities and with an equal stake in shaping the next chapter in the history of this great country, Australia."
To enforce this proposal would be going absolutely backwards on Kevin Rudds future promises for equal opportunity and mutual respect. Australians would end up resenting aboriginals even further for an advantage over non-indigenous Australians.
This takes me to my next point on how if there were reserved seats for indigenous Australians in the House of Reps, it would in effect discredit all indigenous politicians, as there would be no mutual respect as Prime Minister Kevin Rudd depicts.
"A future based on mutual respect, mutual resolve and mutual responsibility."
Without having to go through the same battles to get to the house of reps, indigenous Australians will be subconsciously disrespected, their arguments held not as valid simply because of their predetermined advantage, whether they may be there because of that or not.
"With the exception of Indigenous peoples, we are a nation of boat people whose forbears made the journey from elsewhere to our shores. How we assist succeeding generations in adjusting to their new country is one of the measures of Australia's maturity and well-being as a nation."
ARNOLD ZABLE
References
"Should there be an Indigenous seat in Parliament?" Brad Saunders, Interview, 15th August 2000http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=1068"
'One seat in the Senate or the House of Representatives could not provide any significant influence in either House and is most likely to be seen as a symbolic or token appointment.'
Pm rejects idea of reserving seats for indigenous Australians" Matt Brown, News Story, 1st June 2000 http://www.abc.net.au/pm/stories/s134030.htm
"Sorry Speech" Kevin Rudd, February 13, 2008
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2008/02/13/1202760379056.html
Arnold Zable quote http://www.australianinspiration.com.au/Quotes/Australiana/IndigenousAustralians.aspx
"This is our country too" Documentary, Independent, 2007
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfwy1z5oXHc
"Child abuse plan divides Indigenous, political leaders"Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 22/06/2007, Narda Gilmore http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2007/s1959765.html
Australian Buero of Statistic
(Background Slide)
- To be against such a policy may seem conservative and wrong at face value, but after deeper analysis it becomes clearer why seats restricted to indigenous aboriginals solely is not the best answer for a fairer, more equal Australia. While I personally am in strong agreeance that the nation needs to recognize indigenous Australians as valuable members of society, this is just not the best way to go about it.
- Contemporary society is misinformed on how truly equal chances for indigenous Australians can be achieved, by not forcibly fast tracking any aboriginal who happens to wander into politics, yet by valuing any indigenous Australians with the ambition to gain such position and putting into place effective additional education and guidance measures to get them to rightfully obtain a seat in the house of representatives.
- Nova Peris, first indigenous Australians woman to be in federal parliament while an invaluable role model, she only is so because she worked hard to get where she is, if she had an unequal advantage would she still be such a good role model? This policy would mean that future indigenous representatives would no longer be such strong positive role models for young aspiring indigenous youth as they would have an advantage over the competitor.
- The house of representatives should be made up of people who have been elected for their merit, rather than given a racially biased advantage.
The entire nature of 'The House of Representatives' is a group of individuals selected by the respective origins to represent the needs and views of their people.This would be compromised by putting forward the proposal to reserve seats for aboriginals as they bypass the vote of the people, essentially missing the point of why the house of reps was formed.
- The proposition goes against the entire essence of a democracy,
We acknowledge and respect them and their past, and see full capability in them and that is exactly why they should show their capability and get a seat the same way the rest of Australia do.
It is also a valid point to make that the proposal is inexcusably racist, Australia prides itself on being multicultural, one would argue 'what about all the other races that make up the nation?'
Australia has always boasted of being a fair opportunity for every race, yet this would seem contrary to the proposal. What about the other hard working, striving Australian politicians who may be better suited to a seat,
but miss out to some one who simply has a certain heritage? What message does it send to them?
NZ- The percentage of Maoris compared to indigenous Australians is far more. 2.5 - 15
HISTORY: Initially suggested in a list of demands from an Indigenous representation to the then Prime Minister, the Hon Joseph Lyons, on 26 January, 1938, following the "Day of Shame" meeting.
"One seat in the House of Representatives could not provide any significant influence in either House and is most likely to be seen as a symbolic or token appointment", an ineffective measure. It would be far better for Indigenous peoples to involve themselves in the electoral system and this is certainly what is happening to date
It would be offensive, simply saying that indigenous Australians are incapable of achieving a position for what ever reason.
They wouldn't be taken seriously
Another perplexing issue is how would the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representative be appointed or elected. Currently Indigenous peoples elect Councillors in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission. It is quite possible that the ATSIC Board of Commissioners would want to appoint the Parliamentary representative from within their own ranks.
JOHN HOWARD: I think it's probably better if we continue with a system where people are chosen not on any particularly basis other than merit. Aden made it there on his own merit. The late Neville Bonna [phonetic] who we honored last night made it there on his own merit. I'm sure that in the time ahead, others will make it there on their own merit and my guess is that a large number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders would rather see themselves going into Parliament as part of the Australian community rather than through some kind of special reservation of Parliamentary seats.
The proposal for reserved seats is an irony to equality.
Equality is a fair and even chance for every single Australian citizen to succeed in an unbiased race.
I highlight a few key phrases in Kevin Rudds 2008 'Sorry Speech' to emphasize this.
Kevin Rudds Sorry speech
"A future where we harness the determination of all Australians, indigenous and non-indigenous, to close the gap that lies between us in life expectancy, educational achievement and economic opportunity."
A future where all Australians, whatever their origins, are truly equal partners, with equal opportunities and with an equal stake in shaping the next chapter in the history of this great country, Australia."
To enforce this proposal would be going absolutely backwards on Kevin Rudds future promises for equal opportunity and mutual respect. Australians would end up resenting aboriginals even further for an advantage over non-indigenous Australians.
This takes me to my next point on how if there were reserved seats for indigenous Australians in the House of Reps, it would in effect discredit all indigenous politicians, as there would be no mutual respect as Prime Minister Kevin Rudd depicts.
"A future based on mutual respect, mutual resolve and mutual responsibility."
Without having to go through the same battles to get to the house of reps, indigenous Australians will be subconsciously disrespected, their arguments held not as valid simply because of their predetermined advantage, whether they may be there because of that or not.
"With the exception of Indigenous peoples, we are a nation of boat people whose forbears made the journey from elsewhere to our shores. How we assist succeeding generations in adjusting to their new country is one of the measures of Australia's maturity and well-being as a nation."
ARNOLD ZABLE
References
"Should there be an Indigenous seat in Parliament?" Brad Saunders, Interview, 15th August 2000http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=1068"
'One seat in the Senate or the House of Representatives could not provide any significant influence in either House and is most likely to be seen as a symbolic or token appointment.'
Pm rejects idea of reserving seats for indigenous Australians" Matt Brown, News Story, 1st June 2000 http://www.abc.net.au/pm/stories/s134030.htm
"Sorry Speech" Kevin Rudd, February 13, 2008
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2008/02/13/1202760379056.html
Arnold Zable quote http://www.australianinspiration.com.au/Quotes/Australiana/IndigenousAustralians.aspx
"This is our country too" Documentary, Independent, 2007
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfwy1z5oXHc
"Child abuse plan divides Indigenous, political leaders"Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 22/06/2007, Narda Gilmore http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2007/s1959765.html
Australian Buero of Statistic
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