The PM demonstrates a very selective understanding of Australia's history. The Cocos-Keeling Islands, which fall under the Lingiari electorate, began with Malay slaves and indentured labourers from South Africa, New Guinea and the Dutch East Indies. 1/5
Parts of North Queensland’s prosperity was also built by South Sea Islanders kidnapped from their homes to work as unpaid or poorly paid labourers in the cane fields. 2/5
In the Northern Territory, the pastoral industry was built on the backs of Aboriginal people who were not paid equal wages to their white counterparts, and whose legal battle for compensation for #stolenwages is now in progress. 3/5
It was Vincent Lingiari who walked off Wave Hill Station in protest of unfair wages and conditions which led to this country’s #landrights movement. That strike went on for 9 years and was a pivotal moment in our country’s history. 4/5
The PM would do well to look into the history of the country he is trying to lead. These are all part of our nation’s history, as well as the arrival of Captain Cook and the First Fleet. Truth-telling must be an integral part of unifying our country, not dividing it. 5/5
