Latest news with #MeganDavis
Sydney Morning Herald
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
We must teach a truer history of our attempted genocide
Professor Megan Davis' article (' Australia can't handle the truth ', July 12) makes sobering reading. A couple of days ago, we had a report from an envoy suggesting we teach the Holocaust in our schools. I have often referred to it in my time as an educator, so I'd have no problem, given a couple of other requirements. Teach the true story of the attempted genocide of our Indigenous people. Tell the story of Tasmania, teach about the massacres in NSW, Victoria, Queensland, WA and especially the NT, where the last such slaughter was in 1928 at Coniston. Genocide is not confined to 1930s and '40s Europe – it comes much closer to home. I am sad to find myself writing this, but what I have read, seen and heard, especially since the outburst of vile racism surrounding the Voice, demands that a truer history of our own nation be taught, and at present, it is not. Jock Webb, Narromine Megan Davis' summary of our sorry racist history towards Indigenous Australians shows that, unlike the achievement of a multicultural Australia – something of which we can be proud – we have failed in the Indigenous space despite many reports and commissions. Following the failure of the Voice referendum, there is a need for a legislated representative body for Indigenous people and the adoption of alternatives to incarceration of young people, among other measures. This should culminate in a treaty like the Treaty of Waitangi in Aotearoa-New Zealand, with appropriate compensation for the terrible wrongs inflicted on our Indigenous peoples. Only then can we put our sad past behind us and go forward together. Andrew Macintosh, Cromer An excellent article by Megan Davis highlights the insidiousness of racism in Australia. This country was founded on racism, both personal and institutional. Racism is as a cancer that continues to eat away at us, while privileged white people like me can continue to deny its very existence behind trite statements and participating in some 'nice' soul-cleansing NAIDOC event on an annual basis. Significantly, racism is not a concept – it is a practical means to suppress aspirations of Indigenous people, then blame them for the impacts of that racism. Racism is interwoven in our national psyche, our institutions and policies and practices. It is only when we reckon with our past and accept the prejudices that exist that we will move forward. Unfortunately, if it has taken 225 years to get where we are today, it may take at least that many years to come to terms with our past. I, for one, hold little hope. Graham Fazio, Cootamundra I do not agree with Megan Davis that 'Australians voted no because they did not want 'race' in the constitution'. In the lead-up to the 2023 Voice referendum, there were two issues to be decided. One was to include the Indigenous people in the constitution and one to allow a voice for Indigenous people in parliament. The first was clearly popular with most people, but the second was less popular because it would introduce racism into the parliament. The Labor Party decided rather than have two separate issues with one popular and another less, they would merge them, hoping that the voting public would not recognise the trickery of their decision. The outcome, as we know, was No, which now means we still do not have the Indigenous population represented in the constitution. Ross Hall, Copacabana Let report gather dust The Segal Report aims to deter antisemitism by recommending special input into Australian schools, universities and the ABC (Letters, July 12). Jillian Segal wants the government to listen to a Jewish voice to ensure truth-telling about Jewish history and foster a safe future for Jews in Australia. The Aboriginals, too, wanted a Voice in government. They, too, want truth-telling and policy input. However, Australians said a resounding No to one cultural group getting special access to and influence over our key institutions in present day multicultural Australia. If the Jewish lobby is given what Indigenous people were denied, it will seem very unfair. Prime Minister Albanese should put the Segal Report on a shelf and let it gather dust. As for any violent, destructive crimes such as fires and graffiti, by any groups or individuals: we have the full force of the law, police, courts and jails to protect safety and property. We should not show fear or favour to any one cultural group to have a cohesive society. Elizabeth Vickers, Maroubra Jillian Segal's plan isn't even a voice to parliament, it's a voice to government without the suggestion of a referendum – an overreach, and unnecessary given the laws we have in place already. Jack Amond, Cabarita The report by Jillian Segal outlining a plan to address antisemitism is welcome. Such a welcome, however, should not obscure the reality of the murder of innocent Gaza citizens at the hands of the IDF. Close to 60,000 dead since October 23, probably more. That is the equivalent of the combined populace of Bathurst and Lithgow. All dead. The survivors tormented and traumatised, herded en masse from one unsafe location to the next, to await the next direction to move on amid the bombing. To speak of this is not to threaten community tolerance, it is to speak the truth. Jon Fogarty, North Avoca I find Jillian Segal's report alarming, with its threats to restrict and to de-fund non-compliant universities. Antisemitism has been a disgraceful stain on humanity for centuries. But to claim that the recent manifestations can be blamed on 'a diet of disinformation and misinformation' is largely missing the point. It is surely being fuelled rather by the daily images of the killing of civilians and destruction of their homes and towns by the Israeli Defence Force. If the IDF would stop this, it would be the greatest blow imaginable to the rising tide of antisemitism. Indeed, if that doesn't happen, the tide will overwhelm us. Paul Knox, Roseville Chase An often-stated argument during the Voice referendum by the No campaign was that such legislation would create a system of special laws for one group of Australians, be divisive and contrary to the egalitarian view we have of ourselves. I wonder if those who prosecuted this argument so strongly will similarly object to special laws for antisemitism. Paul Clynick, Moffat Beach (Qld) As prime minister, Scott Morrison humiliated China by publicly supporting an external examination of Chinese markets and laboratories to determine the origin of COVID-19 and then compounded this with name-calling (' Albanese walks diplomatic tightrope with Xi, Trump ', July 12). The result was that China put tariffs as high as 264 per cent on our exports and refused to even talk to anyone from the Morrison government. Anthony Albanese and Penny Wong succeeded in having those tariffs removed and returning the relationship to normality. It is therefore laughable that anyone once part of the Coalition such as 'hawkish foreign policy expert Justin Bassi' should attempt to give the prime minister advice on how to deal with China. Barry Harrod, Fig Tree Pocket (Qld) Pulling the Woollahra over our eyes If the government is revisiting the idea of completing a station on the eastern suburbs railway line (' Ghost station plan to deliver housing boost ', July 12), then it should look at that other abandoned item: completing the railway to Bondi Beach. The extension could be single track so that, in peak periods, half the trains could turn back at the existing turn-back facility at Bondi Junction. With a station near Bondi Post Office, say, the traffic jams on Bondi Road could be reduced, and high-density housing could be increased in this popular suburb. John Woodward, Ashfield It's hard to know which is the more unlikely. A new Woollahra railway station surrounded by high-rise apartments, or them being affordable for young people and families. Given previous opposition to this plan by the good burghers of Woollahra, tell them they're dreaming. Lynne Poleson, Kingsford Premier Chris Minns has Buckley's chance of building 25,000 homes in the backyard of eastern suburbs lawyers. Tim Schroder, Gordon Of course, it's a bad idea There are many reasons why such a development opposite Canterbury racecourse should not go ahead (' Race club takes property giant to court over $70m land deal ', July 12). The main reason has to do with the location and the traffic chaos it would create. At the other end of King Street you have a several-hundred apartment complex nearing completion, and if this new development were allowed, then the amount of traffic it would produce along an already busy single-lane road would be a nightmare. Government officials will argue that the location is a short walk from Canterbury railway station, but not everyone in the development would use public transport to go to work, and at the weekend they would use their cars. The inner west has precious little green space as it is, and removing more of it would be a poor outcome. Peter Miniutti, Ashbury What'Sopwith it? Tous! The AUKUS fiasco must end (″ UK envoy dismisses fears over US AUKUS review ″, July 12). It is ludicrous that we have paid the Americans the better part of a billion dollars already, as a down payment for atomic boats that, were they ever to be built, would be as obsolete as Sopwith Camels flying into an Iron Dome by the time the first one hits the water. There are high-speed, cheap, submersible suicide drones being designed and built now, not in 2040. Our promised leviathans will be easy meat. The notion of putting human crews inside such death traps is criminal. AUKUS is simply the crowning fiasco atop a defence procurement disaster that has run unchecked in this country for decades. We spend a fraction of the money already sent to Washington on our real enemies – fire ants, feral cats, pigs, invasive plant species ... the list is long. We are already under attack, yet we spend fortunes on boy toys. Pat Sheil, Camperdown So, can the 'Land of the Southern Cross' learn from our 'North Star', Finland (' Landmines and fences: Living next door to Putin ', July 12)? Although cheek-by-jowl with its antagonistic neighbour, Russia, this northern outpost of NATO is developing its Arctic version of what we need to develop: the Antipodean echidna defence strategy. With not a submarine to its name, diminutive Finland has and continues to be a prickly customer. It's high-time to scuttle the outrageously spurious AUKUS (read the fine print) deal and instead focus on an effective Home Guard with synergistic alliances and trading partnerships 'above' the 'Land Down Under'. As an aside, it comes to mind that the Great Auk was a seabird driven to extinction by us humans. So, in the finish, whatever way you read it, the US in AUKUS does not sit well. Steve Dillon, Thirroul No felicity with dictionary The Australian National Dictionary Centre is to be 'disestablished', or to put it clearly, thrown on the scrap heap (' National Dictionary team hit by job cuts ', July 12). The Australian National University, along with our other august academic institutions, is doing some remodelling. Apparently the once academically rigorous ANU is 'on a journey' 'into the future', 'while ensuring that core activities are sustainably embedded'. And the source of these mindless, meaningless, hackneyed, jargon-laden comments on the destruction? A struggling year 10 student using AI? The Newspeak of the dystopian novel 1984? Not at all. Turns out the honours are shared between an official ANU spokesperson and the vice chancellor, neither of whom, it appears, have used the resources of the centre for some time. But when your job is to try and obfuscate, why would you? Elisabeth Goodsall, Wahroonga As a proud graduand, along with my wife, son and daughter, of the ANU, I am most angry about the cuts to the Australian National Dictionary. What do we value when such important assets are trashed? Doesn't language matter any more? Paul Fergus, Croydon Doesn't miss a beat Sarah Macdonald (' Gen Z, you should be dancing. Yeah? ' , July 12) is spot-on regarding Gen Z's relentless filming inhibiting care-less dancing. My kids are definitely not liberated dancers in the way we 'Boomers' were, and still are. We started with rock 'n' roll, moved to the twist, then to the stomp at the surf club dances on the northern beaches. Now, at many RSLs and clubs, we oldies are dancing to the beat of our own drum to some fabulous retro bands. Our kids think it's hilarious; we think it's liberating – as long as nobody films us. Suzan Fayle, Collaroy After reading the dance article by Sarah Macdonald, I reflected on my great nights dancing in the 1960s. I danced with my sister at the Sound Lounge in William Street, Kings Cross, where no alcohol was served. We missed the last train home at 2am, so waited in the ladies room with old homeless women. Our mother met us at the station at 6 am. FURIOUS. Judy Nicholas, Kambah (ACT) Picking a winner
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Red's Sunset Grill hosts Flag Swap event Saturday
(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Red's Sunset Grill in Colorado Springs is partnering with FOX21 for Flag Swap Week! On June 14 from 2 to 3 p.m., bring in your worn or weathered American flag and trade it for a brand-new one, just in time for Flag Day. FOX21's Krista Witiak stopped by Red's Sunset Grill ahead of the big event to chat with owner Megan Davis about the restaurant's involvement in this year's Great American Flag Swap. While you're there, check out Red's new menu items featuring fall-off-the-bone ribs, French onion wings, and fresh ceviche. Pair it with one of their refreshing seasonal cocktails or a margarita tower on the patio for the perfect summertime combo. For more information or to keep up to date with the restaurant, visit Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Guardian
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Morning Mail: Call for disaster ‘volunteer army', car hits Liverpool parade, rock art fears over gas plan
Morning everyone. Our exclusive top story hears from veterans on the frontline of disaster relief calling for federal funding to set up a 10,000 volunteer army to help the recovery from extreme weather events such as last week's NSW floods. Overseas, a car has ploughed into crowds celebrating Liverpool's Premier League win. Plus, the incident between a president and his wife that has all France talking – but Emmanuel Macron says everyone needs to just calm down. High politics | Adelaide's first skyscraper – planned to be 38 storeys and 160m high – will be a 'phallic' construction overshadowing the birthplace of women's suffrage, critics say. Exclusive | A veteran-led organisation on the frontline of disaster recovery wants federal government support to help establish a 10,000-strong volunteer army. Exclusive | Most Australian women are not aware that intrauterine devices are the most effective form of contraception, with experts saying this nationwide 'failure in public education' has contributed to low uptake. Bali accused | An Australian man accused of trying to smuggle drugs into Bali faces 'the death penalty or life in jail' if found guilty, police on the Indonesian tourist island said yesterday after parading him in a prison jumpsuit. Exclusive | One of the architects of the Indigenous voice to parliament, Megan Davis, says Aboriginal Australians increasingly feel the government is not listening to their views on laws and policy design in the wake of the referendum defeat. Liverpool arrest | A man has been detained after a car collided with pedestrians in Liverpool city centre after Liverpool FC's Premier League victory parade. The home secretary, Yvette Cooper, has called the incident 'shocking and horrendous' Follow developments live. Gloves off | Germany will remove range restrictions on weapons delivered to Ukraine – to enable it to defend itself against Russia. It came after Moscow launched its third consecutive night of drone strikes against Ukraine, killing at least six people, and Donald Trump complained that Vladimir Putin has 'gone crazy'. 'Speak out' | A former president of Harvard University has urged people to 'speak out' to defend 'foundational threats' to American values from the Trump administration. In his speech to mark Memorial Day, Trump took credit for the US hosting the 2026 football World Cup (alongside Canada and Mexico) and the 2028 Summer Olympics – and said 'I have everything'. Follow developments live. Gaza strike | An Israeli strike on a school housing displaced people in Gaza killed at least 33 people on Monday, coming after the head of a US-backed private humanitarian organisation distributing aid resigned, saying the operation could not fulfil its mission in a way that adhered to 'humanitarian principles'. Macron moment | Emmanuel Macron has denied he and his wife, Brigitte, had an altercation after a video appeared to show her pushing him in the face as they prepared to get off a plane in Vietnam. Will Labor take its chance to act on climate? Nour Haydar speaks to Adam Morton about why there will never be a better chance for Labor to deliver on climate. Sorry your browser does not support audio - but you can download here and listen $ One of the first big decisions that the new environment minister needs to make is whether Woodside can extend the life of the North West Shelf LNG plant in Western Australia. There are concerns about damage to rock art – a report on the issue downplays the risk but our environment editor Adam Morton says evidence buried deep in the document shows that local pollution is now about four times worse than in the 1960s and 1970s. A new exhibition co-presented by the Art Gallery of South Australia and the Art Gallery of NSW celebrates the work and lives of 50 pioneering Australian women who from the late 19th century 'traded the antipodes for Bohemian melting pots in Bloomsbury and Chelsea, or Paris's left bank' to develop their art. Walter Marsh finds out more. Sign up to Morning Mail Our Australian morning briefing breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion Rugby league | New South Wales appear to be favourites going into Game One of this year's State of Origin series in Brisbane tomorrow night. Tennis | There were major upsets for two of the top American seeds at the French Open overnight, as Taylor Fritz and Emma Navarro crashed out in the first round. Women's football | Arsenal's three Matildas were among the players celebrating with fans as they paraded the Women's Champions League in north London. The Sydney Morning Herald claims the Minns government is under pressure to step in and buy back the Northern Beaches hospital after Healthscope went bust, while the Mercury says there are also concerns in Tasmania about the future of Hobart Private. The Telegraph enjoys what it calls the 'Origin spy drama' and says the Blues are using drones to find out who filmed their training session. A huge dust storm blanketed parts of Victoria and NSW as it travelled east from South Australia, the Age reports. Gold Coast | Forum on overcoming Indigenous family violence. Health | ABS releases data on serum levels of Pfas for under-12s. Sydney | First case management conference for Bob Brown Foundation legal action against federal environment law changes. If you would like to receive this Morning Mail update to your email inbox every weekday, sign up here, or finish your day with our Afternoon Update newsletter. You can follow the latest in US politics by signing up for This Week in Trumpland. And finally, here are the Guardian's crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow. Quick crossword Cryptic crossword
The Guardian
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Aboriginal people feel Labor isn't listening to them after voice defeat, Uluru statement co-author says
One of the architects of the Indigenous voice to parliament says Aboriginal Australians increasingly feel the government isn't listening to their views on laws and policy design, warning against closed-shop public consultations in the wake of the referendum defeat. Megan Davis, a constitutional scholar and signatory to the Uluru statement from the heart, said the re-elected Albanese government was facing growing displays of discontent and needed a new approach to improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Davis said Indigenous policy frameworks were failing and engagement with government was subject to growing 'exclusivity'. 'They consult only those who have contracts with them, or are enlisted in the Closing the Gap 'partnership', so to speak,' she told Guardian Australia. 'Good public policy cannot be served by limiting your consultation to a hermetically sealed segment of a community. 'As a consequence, many Aboriginal people are now saying that the no vote has been interpreted as bureaucrats and government no longer needing to listen to community voices on laws and policies.' Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email The comments come at the start of National Reconciliation Week, and on the eighth anniversary of the release of Uluru statement, the 2017 request from Indigenous leaders built around the concepts of voice, treaty and truth. Running until 3 June, Reconciliation Week follows heated debate about Indigenous welcome to country ceremonies during the election campaign. After Labor's 2022 victory, Anthony Albanese committed to implementing the Uluru statement in full but promised a different approach after the October 2023 referendum was soundly defeated by voters. Last year the prime minister said Labor would deliver the first comprehensive economic policy for Indigenous Australians, part of efforts to close the disadvantage gap. He used a speech at the Garma festival to pledge improved avenues for private-sector investment and to lift home ownership in Indigenous communities, as well as helping companies and job creators to directly reach Indigenous people. Speaking from Harvard University, where she is a visiting professor, Davis said Albanese's vision of 'progressive patriotism' and Australian design models was at odds with the agenda of Indigenous reconciliation, which was first conceived overseas. She said Australia's brand of reconciliation was too limited to private actors and private action. 'That of course has its place and like many mob I have served my time on reconciliation action plans, but it doesn't ask anything of the state that is structural,' she said. 'It's the structural [change] – the public structures of the state – that incontrovertibly lead to change.' Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion The federal government declined to respond to the comments on Sunday. Despite the voice defeat, Davis said Uluru advocates wanted to meet non-Indigenous Australians, 'and yarn about the things we have in common and the things that we don't and the things we can agree on and the things we disagree on'. 'After all, the word parliament comes from 'parle', the French word for speak,' she said. 'That's what the voice is about and that's what we are doing now is speaking, speaking to yes and no about the referendum and yarning about our shared future.' Albanese's post-election reshuffle included the Northern Territory senator Malarndirri McCarthy as minister for Indigenous Australians and Marion Scrymgour, the MP for Lingiari, as the government's special envoy for remote communities. This month Scrymgour said she would speak to Albanese about progressing the remaining elements of the Uluru statement, to help the country heal and move forward. The Cape York leader Noel Pearson told the Australian newspaper after the election that Albanese had run away from Indigenous policy, likening his moves to a Houdini-like disappearance. Davis said Indigenous people deserved to be consulted on the decisions which affected their lives, 'because we know our communities better than you and the laws and policies will be of a better quality'.
