Aboriginal people will comprise the Greens Senate ticket for this year's federal election after an announcement by Lidia Thorpe on Sunday.
The Gunnai, Gunditjmara and DjabWurrung woman, who was the first Aboriginal woman to enter Victorian parliament in 2018 and the in 2020, will be supported by activists and community leaders in a move to try and elevate First Nations voices on climate change and equality.
“Everyone benefits from First Nations knowledge. As the oldest living culture in the world, we have the solutions," Ms Thorpe said.
It’s time to put us in the driver's seat to build a better future and safer climate for everyone in this country."
She will be joined by Taungurung man Adam Frogley, who has been with the Northern Territory Education Union since 2007 as its National Director of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Team, Wiradjuri nonbinary person Zeb Payne, and Gunditjmara, Keerray Wurrung, Peek Wurrung, Djab Wurrung woman Sissy Austin who works in the family violence sector.
Gunditjmara, Keerray Wurrung, Peek Wurrung, Djab Wurrung woman Sissy Austin has a long history of campaigning and community organising. Source: First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria
Austin told NITV News she was proud to be on the history-making ticket and wants to prioritise addressing the high rates of child removal in First Nations communities.
"I always feel like we're being used and only asked to be a part of something that's tokenistic. Having an all Blak Senate ticket, led by blakfullas, is a significant step forward in the way that mob place themselves in the political sphere in this country," she said.
"We're seeing the suffering of First Nations kids being placed in non-Indigenous care. A child being safe, to me, is one with community being raised by mob."
Zeb Payne, an active member of the LGBTQI+, First Nations and Disability communities told NITV about the excitement of being involved in something that can make real change, even though it comes with pressure.
Lidia Thorpe, Adam Frogley, Sissy Austin and Zeb Payne comprise the ticket. Source: Supplied: Australian Greens
"I want to bring light and rights to people with bodies that fall outside of the mainstream, like mine," they said.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has not announced a date for the federal election, but it is tipped to happen in May.
There are currently seven active First Nations representatives in Federal Parliament.
Most recently, Yamatji and Noongar woman Dorinda Cox became the first from Western Australia. She joined Thorpe, Indigenous Australians Minister Ken Wyatt, Labor's Pat Dodson, Linda Burney and Malarndirri McCarthy, and Independent Senator Jacqui Lambie.
WA Greens Senator Dorinda Cox, pictured with Lidia Thorpe, entered the Senate in 2021. Source: AAP
