Theyall served under the Aussie flag and should not have any further orspecialrecognition. My father was in Changi Prison for 3.5 yrs and it would make no difference if he was black or white. What right has one group to demand special recognition?
Like clockwork GetUp targets the bandwagon ofthe day upon which to jump.
Following today’s ban by RSLWA of theperformance of Welcome to Country ceremonies and the flying of the Aboriginalflag at all of its Anzac and Remembrance Day services, GetUp says there is noplace for racism on Anzac Day and calls on the Government and the RSL to honourthe country’s debt to First Nations service men and women.
“This racist decision erases the long historyof national service by First Nations servicemen and servicewomen, both inpeacetime and in war,” said First Nations Justice Director LarissaBaldwin.
“The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanderflag is a national flag that flies proudly alongside the Australian flag as asymbol of unity in Parliaments, in schools, everywhere. It is the RSL whois dividing us.
“The RSL is so out of step it’sdisgraceful.
“When First Nations service men and womenreturned to Australia from two world wars they were denied the same honour astheir fellow soldiers - denied entry to RSL clubs, removed off their country,struggled to gain employment and still denied citizenship after serving theircountry.
“All Australians owe a debt to First Nationsservice men and women, and the RSL should be making every effort to includeFirst Nations people in their ceremonies to make amends for past wrongs.
“First Nations service men and women madesignificant contributions, a proud history for which the RSL owes a debt ofgratitude and it’s high time they honoured it.
“All leaders should loudly condemn thisracist move by the RSLWA and honour the debt that all Australians owe FirstNations service men and women,” said Larissa Baldwin.
LarissaBaldwin is a Widjabul woman and Getup’s First Nations Justice Campaign Director
Mediacontact: Susie Gemmell m.0435 862 444, [email protected]
