Dr. Andonis Piperoglou: "I am here to support a collective effort to gain a Voice for Indigenous Peoples to make representations to Australia's Federal Government.
This is long overdue in Australian history.
Australia lives with a particular wound, which is related to our story of colonialism.
As a Greek Australian and a proud one at that, it's important to recognize that we've come here on their lands and to find solidarity in their collective effort to negotiate with the operations of the Australian Parliament to have a stronger say and claim in how their lives are mediated and governed by the Federal Parliament.
ΑΚΟΥΣΤΕ ΤΟ ΘΕΜΑ ΣΤΑ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ
Φωνή Ιθαγενών και Εθνοτικές Κοινότητες: Τι πιστεύει ένας Ελληνο-Αυστραλός πανεπιστημιακός
At a global level, countries like Canada, to a lesser extent, the United States, and, particularly, New Zealand, have strong forums of representation in their political system.
And so, Australia, on a global level, lags behind in how to grapple with the dual dynamic of the legacy of British colonialism and the gift of multicultural realities.”
SBS: We've heard from members of our community that this sort of representation should also become a reality for the ethnic communities. As a member of an ethnic community, how do you apply this kind of argument?
Dr. Andonis Piperoglou: "I particularly believe that what has been called multicultural affairs or ethnic community affairs should have a strong place in Australian governmental decision-making.
I do not think however that should equate to permanent political representation at a federal level, as is being put forth to the Australian people in the upcoming Voice referendum.
The reason why I say that is because permanent political representation at a federal level should be for all Australians.
However, the historical reality – our history of colonialism - has led to an extreme disruption of Indigenous and Torres Strait Islanders’ lives and cultures and this historical injustice cannot be underrecognized.
ΑΚΟΥΣΤΕ ΑΚΟΜΑ ΣΤΑ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ
Ένας Ελληνο-Αμερικανός στη Αυστραλία: Η Διασπορά του καθηγητή Γιώργου Αναγνώστου
It is because of this historical injustice, because this is their country, because this country is shaken by the invasiveness and violence of colonialism, that it makes perfect sense for them to have a particular type of permanent avenue to make political representations at a federal level.
So, what is being asked of the Australian people in the Indigenous Voice referendum is very different from thinking about how to manage diversity and ethnic community issues – issues that relate to language retention, to assisting the splendours of nuance and specificity in multicultural Australia.
ΑΚΟΥΣΤΕ ΣΤΑ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ
Ελληνοαυστραλοί υπέρ του Ναι στο δημοψήφισμα
The Australian government should offer resources and services to the many cultures that call Australia home, like Greeks, but due to the unjust legacy of British colonialism such needs are not the same as what is being asked from Indigenous people.
Multicultural needs are very different type of needs when compared to the wishes of Indigenous Peoples and Torres Strait Islanders, who are simply asking to make political representations to the top level of Australian government on issue that directly affect their lives."
