IA Bill an Emotional Victory

The Indigenous Affairs committee have passed their bill to create seats for Indigenous representatives in parliament. The Bill asked for 7 seats to be created, not replacing any existing seats but adding to them instead. The process of electing these members would be discussion circles in Indigenous communities led by community elders. Whilst the Government managed to amend the bill from 7 new representatives to 4, the principle of the bill was agreed with. During debate the Opposition quashed statements this was a hand out, not a hand up by comparing this to the seats reserved for females during their first years in parliament, something which is intended to be a short term solution, a start.

The Bill was voted upon resulting in a landslide 42 - 5 win, with many members abstaining. Most of the members abstaining believed they did not have enough at stake to make a decision on such an important bill, others were perhaps trying to avoid an unpopular decision. In any case for the many indigenous participants of this years program, as well as many other young people who are passionate about this issue, the result proved to be a long sort and sweet victory.