2022

1. 2 May Self-determination

   A First Nations-led ad campaign seeks to elevate the Voice to Parliament (a demand of the Uluru Statement From the Heart) as a key issue for the May 21 federal election. It calls for a referendum, arguing that support of the Australian public would be more powerful than legislation. It it believed this is the first time the First Nations community has taken matters into their own hands in such a way during an election campaign. ^[1]

   Ad transcript

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   “There comes a time for everything and everyone. For our constitution and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, that time is now.

   "Only 55 years after they were first counted in the census, but tens of thousands of years since they first worked on this land. The time has come for the Australian people to decide if we do or do not wish to formally recognise Indigenous Australians as Australia’s first people. And acknowledge that any recognition is only made meaningful with a voice.

   "We could ask the government to legislate it, but we would rather the Australian people vote for it. Just think how much more powerful it would be if the recognition hoped for by Indigenous Australians was achieved with the support of all Australians.

   "The time for a referendum has come.”

2. 3 May Arts Stamps

   In its Aboriginal Fibre Art issue, Australia Post features contemporary fibre art by Yolŋu women of the small inland community of Gapuwiyak (Lake Evella) in north-east Arnhem Land, Northern Territory. Made from plant fibres such as pandanus and coloured with natural bush dyes, these objects also have profound cultural, ceremonial and symbolic significance. The stamps show a coiled basket (Lucy Malirrimurruwuy Wanapuyngu, b. 1955), a twined conical container (Mary Djupuduwuy Guyula, 1945–2005) and a coiled, flat-bottomed basket (Nancy Walinyinawuy Guyula, 1940–2017).

   

3. 3 May Arts

   At the 2022 Australian Performing Rights Association awards, 18-year-old Charlton Howard (The Kid Laroi) becomes the youngest ever winner of APRA's Song of the Year award with his hit Stay. He also won Songwriter of the Year and Most-performed Hip Hop/Rap Work for Without You.

4. 22 May Politics

   After the federal election, Anthony Albanese (Labor Party) becomes Australia's 31st prime minister. He nominates Linda Burney as Indigenous affairs minister, the first Aboriginal woman to hold this position. More than 40 First Nations candidates stood for election (at least 25 House of Representatives, 16 Senate). ^[2] The Indigenous-Aboriginal Party of Australia received 0.83% of all votes. ^[3]

   There are now 10 First Nations members of Parliament: Linda Burney (Indigenous Australians Minister), Marion Scrymgour (Labor Member for Lingiari), Gordon Reid (Labor Member for Robertson), Lidia Thorpe (Greens Senator for Victoria and spokeswoman for Indigenous Affairs), Dorinda Cox (Greens Senator for Western Australia), Malarndirri McArthy (Labor Senator for Northern Territory), Jacinta Nampijinpa Price (Country Liberal Senator for Northern Territory), Jana Stewart (Labor Senator for Victoria), Pat Dodson (Labor Senator for Western Australia), Jacqui Lambie (Jacqui Lambie Network Senator for Tasmania). ^[4]

   On behalf of the Australian Labor Party, I commit to the Uluru Statement.

   — Prime Minister-elect Anthony Albanese ^[5]

5. 24 May Arts Stamps

   A set of three stamps highlights First Nations peoples' Bush Seasonings. Plants made up about half of a traditional diet, and many native species also played an important roles as medicines, fibre and construction materials, and in ceremonies. The stamps feature Mountain Pepper (Tasmannia lanceolata), River Mint (Mentha australis) and Lemon Myrtle (Backhousia citriodora).

   

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