Pictured is an installation at the site of The Aboriginal Tent Embassy which has become part of Canberra's physical and political landscape. It has intermittently existed on the lawns of Old Parliament House since Australia Day 1972 and permanently since Australia Day 1992.The embassy began as a response to the then Coalition Government's refusal to recognise land rights.Governments have tried, with varying success, to remove the embassy by use of police force, invoking territory ordinances and planning guidelines, direct negotiation and simply turning a blind eye with the hope that the embassy would fizzle out. In light of the recent apology and policy changes from Prime Minister Rudd perhaps conditions will finally begin to improve for Australia's most disadvantaged group.
Certainly without the constant visual reminder of Aboriginal presence in the ACT such moves may have taken a lot longer to eventuate.
1 response
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Michelle Tims gave props (24 Jun 2008):
A true picture of democracy
