The Black GST

"The Government would have you think that they are trying to do the right thing by Aboriginal people. A conversation with Aboriginal people almost anywhere in Australia will reveal the [Government’s] divide and conquer policy - and its outcome of despair - are familiar to people almost everywhere in Australia"

During 2005, a concept known as the Black GST emerged, promoted by a group of Indigenous leaders and non-Indigenous supporters in Melbourne, and has started to reverberate around not only Victoria but interstate. The Black GST stands for:

Genocide to be stopped;

Sovereignty recognised; and

Treaty made

The policies and practices of both major parties in Australia continue to actively deny Indigenous Rights and adequate justice, professing to offer recognition in the form of a grossly inadequate legislative system of Native Title.

The debate on Indigenous affairs has been in constant retreat since the end of the Council on Aboriginal Reconciliation, when treaties and agreement-making seemed likely, to an extremely reduced version of 'self-determination' in the form of the imposed Shared Responsibility Agreements.

The Black GST are appalled at the current state of affairs in Black Australia and deplore the continual lack of accurate and sufficient representation of Indigenous Issues on political, legal and social levels.

Central to this campaign's beliefs is the recognition that the ongoing attempt to assimilate the Indigenous people 'equals genocide' and as a result, the only solution to regain rightful sovereignty is via a treaty.

Speaking in support of the Black GST at its inaugural public meeting in May 2005, Marji Thorpe stated that:

“We need treaties. Every Aboriginal Nation needs to be recognised and has the right to negotiate on an equal basis."

However the option to do so continues to be limited by the lack of equality and prevalent racism. Consequently, the treaty process must be facilitated at an international level, requiring international attention to be drawn to the ongoing Indigenous struggles with the Australian Government.

WHO ARE THE BLACK GST?

The Black GST is group of Indigenous people and non-Indigenous supporters appalled at the current state of affairs in Black Australia.

With support from well-known members of the Indigenous community, the Black GST propose to bring about the largest Aboriginal-led gathering since the Commonwealth Games in 1982 and the Bicentennial in 1988 at the upcoming March 2006 "Stolenwealth Games" in Melbourne.

They will be asking non-Aboriginal supporters to march in solidarity.

ANTaR's RESPONSE TO THE CHALLENGE OF THE BLACK GST

The Black GST looks straight in the eye and names the foundational issues on which Indigenous-non-Indigenous relations rest. These foundations are shaky. ANTaR is therefore encouraging non-Indigenous people to support the Black GST campaign.

ANTaR Victoria celebrates the achievements of our elite athletes, and applauds the profiling of south east Indigenous culture via the Games.

Our aim is to help our international guests understand that these achievements are made despite the appalling life circumstances and the injustice experienced by Indigenous people in this country.

Long-term response

With a longer-term view, the Black GST is a major challenge to the "peoples' movement for Reconciliation" – of which the ANTaR Victoria network is a major part. By international standards, in relation to the issues of genocide, sovereignty and treaty, we are 'way, way behind.' We need to make these issues central to our agenda.

a personal story about the anniversary of the sacred fire

Monday 12 March 2007 was the first anniversary of the Sacred Fire/Flame of Resistance going in at King's Domain. Word went out by text and over the radio about gathering for a bbq picnic from 12pm on the day to commemorate.

I got there about 12:30pm and settled in with baby Jean and Tom. There were about 50-70 people there – Koori and non-Koori families, lefties, familiar faces from Camp Sovereignty.

The Sacred Fire/Flame of Resistance was burning in its old position – the ring around the old fire was still visible.

The cops turned up maybe 1pm and got the fire brigade to attend – who did not consider it necessary to put out the fire (MFB has a policy recognizing the importance of fire to Aboriginal people). Robbie Thorpe reached an agreement with an officer that the group could continue with the gathering for the time being but would put the fire out at 8pm.

About 30 cops returned about an hour later flanking the old City of Melb water tanker that put out the original fire. The group resisted, ineffectually. A lot of frustration, tears and anger. The fire was ostensibly put out but actually was still smouldering, so everyone reignited it and walked in a circle around the fire, in celebration and defiance.

The cops returned with the tanker another half hour/hour or so later. They brought a City of Melb representative who asked Robbie (spokesman) to put the fire out. He engaged them in a one-sided debate about jurisdiction and who actually owned the land. They then put the fire out again. This time the group had decided not to resist, and not to yell and swear. Lucky, because I noticed 2 detectives, one who videoed the whole thing.

Once again, a whole lot more leaves and kindling was set, but the group decided to revert to the original purpose of enjoying a bbq together, and keep the cops guessing.

I left at this point, but believe the fire was again lit and again put out.

Robbie suggested gathering at the site every year on the 12th of March (or Labour Day/Moomba public holiday?) until a treaty is made and that this day could become Australia's new national day. He has often asked 'what the hell are Aboriginal people supposed to do on Australia Day?' Clearly 26th January is not a national day that is inclusive of Aboriginal people, and it needs to be changed.