The comments from Ms Price, a Conservative opposition Indigenous Australian spokesman, sparked a backlash. Photo: Martin Allman/Getty Images AsiaPac
British colonialism had a positive impact on Aboriginal people, a leading Indigenous campaigner says, sparking anger ahead of Australia's Indigenous rights referendum.
Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, a senator from the Northern Territory and a leading voice in the No campaign against giving Indigenous people more rights, denied they were suffering as a result of British settlement.
«There's definitely a positive impact,» she said , answering questions from journalists. «I mean, we now have running water and easily accessible food.»
The comments from Ms Price, a Conservative opposition Indigenous Australian spokesman, sparked an immediate backlash in an already contentious debate over the possibility of new law that will give indigenous peoples greater influence over government policy.
Ms Price, who is Warlpiri but also has Celtic heritage, says Aboriginal people now have the same opportunities as all Australians thanks to the infrastructure and political systems brought by the colonists.
“ We certainly have one of the greatest systems in the world in terms of democratic structure compared to other countries — which is why migrants flock to Australia.
“If we keep telling Aboriginal people that they are victims, well, we're effectively taking away their free will… That's the worst thing you can do to any human being, tell them they're victims without free will, and that's what I refuse to do.” .
'Permanent trauma and pain'
Linda Burney, the minister for Indigenous Australians, said Ms Price's comments about colonization were offensive and a «betrayal».
«We only need to look at the stolen generations and their consequences in terms of permanent trauma and pain,» Ms Burney said.
Australians will vote on whether they support constitutional changes that would enshrine in law an «advisory body» that would provide feedback on policies affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The event has been dubbed Australia's «Brexit moment».
Polls suggest new legislation proposed by the ruling Labor Party could be defeated at the ballot box in October.
Ms Price also refused to condemn the views of supporters of the No campaign, who advocated for Indigenous people to accept blood tests for welfare payments.
The reaction to Ms Price's comments has further heightened emotions and divisions at a time when campaigners on both sides said they had been victims of harassment and racism.
On Wednesday, prominent Yes campaigner Professor Marcia Langton revealed she was seeking legal advice over comments in the media , which said she called No voters «stupid» and «racist.»
saying that the statements made in the No case are based on racism and stupidity — and appeal to racism and stupidity,” Professor Langton said.
An angry response
Indigenous people die eight years earlier than others Australians, statistics show they are the least likely to complete school and the most likely to get sick.
Supporters see the Indigenous Voice referendum as a way to address disparities in disadvantage and heal generational trauma caused by atrocities committed since British settlement 200 years ago.
Grassroots Aboriginal people across the Northern Territory have responded to Ms. Ms Price commented angrily, saying the senator did not represent their views.
In April, 90 elected leaders of Indigenous communities from 15 language groups in central Australia signed a statement saying Ms Price «needs to stop pretending that we are her.»
Ms Price, in a speech on Thursday, accused campaigners of exploiting less educated people for political gain.
“Isn’t it ironic that their voices have not been heard even though the campaign “ Yes» used their land for the purposes of this referendum?»
She added: «Our country's rule book belongs to every Australian. And this is not a document that should be taken for granted or compromised for the sake of some atmosphere… The designers of The Voice continue to promote the idea that we are different from everyone else, despite the fact that we are also Australian.» /p>
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