Mayor urges more Indigenous parliamentarians
Posted
Updated
The Mayor of Palm Island wants major political parties to put more Indigenous people in Parliament, rather than be distracted by a new representative body.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Tom Calma is proposing a new Indigenous group that includes 128 members that will be run as a company rather than a government body.
Mayor Alf Lacey says if politicians are serious about reconciliation, there should be more Indigenous people in Parliament.
"I challenge them to give safe seats to Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander people in electorates around this country, then we're going to be talking about true reconciliation," he said.
"Let's not cloud ourselves with an Indigenous representative body - we also need representation around Parliament where the laws are made."
to view full screen.