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Malezer tells Blackman to use a verb in his sentence by Stephen Hagan
R
ecently reelected National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples Co-chair Les Malezer offended respected Queensland leader and former ATSIC Commission Kerry Blackman (pictured) when he told him to use a verb in his sentence the next time he has something to say to him. “I am open to receive emails from you, and to give time to consider your contributions,” Malezer said in an email response to Blackman on 5 September. “For the sake of trading personal insults with each other, even if in ignorance, next time you take the time and trouble to email me please try to include a verb.” “This would look much better,” the National Congress Co-chair continued, “for you when you are opting for a one sentence response to a detailed 500 word statement!”. Kerry Blackman contact First Nations Telegraph disappointed at the “arrogance of someone in Les Malezer’s position” to include in an email response such “condescending remark about the grammatical imprecision of my email to him”. Blackman said the
National Congress leadership under Malezer and his Co-chair Kirstie Parker “should be working with me and other leaders around the country to prove their relevance in black affairs”. A position on them he elaborated on further as being “out of touch, arrogant and undemocratic”. The heated exchange from Malezer came shortly after a National Congress media release of 3 September titled Congress Says Judge Parties on their First Nations’ Policies. Malezer was quoted in the release saying he believed all political party’s performances were not of a high standard in their Indigenous affairs policy announcements, before last weekend’s federal elections. “The Declaration (United Nations) upholds our right to self-determination and embodies the framework for development of Indigenous Peoples through communitybased decision-making,” Malezer said. “Self-determination is essential, and our history in Australia proves centralised and unrepresentative government in Canberra cannot succeed, no matter how many advisors exist. “Congress remains
concerned that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are still harmed through racism at the individual and institutional levels. “Constitutional reform to prohibit racism is recommended by Congress but the parties remain vague on the details for Constitutional reform. “It is important that Congress members and our supporters are well informed and motivated about the important Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander policies of the next Australian government. “We believe the performances during this election period are not up to the standard we deserve and should expect in this land,” said Malezer.
Kerry Blackman, CEO, Gidarjil Development Corporation, and a major player in securing over $100 million Indigenous Land Use Agreement -with the mining companies associated with the Gladstone multi-billion dollar coal seam gas project - for the Port Curtis Coral Coast traditional owner groups recently, wrote to Malezer on 5 September about the political direction he and his board were taking. “Brother, Les don’t take it personal we are entitled to express our opinions just like you! As you know you are the founder of FAIRA I am sure the Congress mantra/charter does not align itself with those of FAIRA,” Blackman commenced his wordy
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and confronting appraisal of Malezer’s new political leanings. “I remember you was the biggest critic of Congress now that you joined them and become the Co Chair you now hold the title of the biggest hypocrite. “I challenged you before with the following and to date you and your baby Congress have done nothing… “Since 1788 the First Nations/First Australians have been fighting an uphill battle in relation to a Treaty to enforce our Sovereign Rights. “As an ATSIC Commissioner I was directly involved in negotiations with the Federal Government at the time in dealing with the MABO High Court decision which flowed on to the ‘Native Title Act 1993’ it was one sided back then but we were up against the machinery of Government and the Australian Parliament full of rednecks. “We all know it undermines our Land rights But will never take away our ‘Sovereign Rights’ which is our Birth Right,” Blackman said. The Gidarjil CEO went on to challenge Malezer and his National Congress colleagues to fight for a Treaty for all First Nations people. “In 1997, I was appointed by the Federal Government for the final term of the Council at which we presented the final report to the Prime Minister and Commonwealth Page 2
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Parliament called ‘Australia’s Challenge’ in December, 2000. “Chapter 10 of that report had six (6) Recommendations the sixth states ‘That the Commonwealth Parliament enact legislation to put in place a process to Unite all Australians by way of an agreement, or Treaty, through which unresolved issues of Reconciliation can be resolved’. “I was personally involved in holding my position to get this into the final wording in the report I fought the good fight until it was in the final print. “It is now up to every “Blackfella” in a Leadership role in this country to blow away the dust and challenge the Australian Government to face up to the challenge and come to a Treaty agreement.” In his closing remarks Blackman asked Malezer to distribute his comments to all Congress members and for him not to take them personally. “So brother Les take up the challenge that us ‘Blackfella’s’ put to the Australian Government in 2000 or are you to comfortable on your big wages, travelling first class and enjoying the best hotels/motels. “TREATY should be the no 1,2,3,4,5,6 ... on the Congress agenda or the Congress is just a yes organisation for the Govt and a window dressing set up! “If you have nothing to hide please circulate my
comments to the Congress mailing/email data base! “Please don’t take anything personal take up all my challenges in this email and I look forward to you showing real Leadership for the other 200,000 “Blackfella’s” who are not members of your Congress,” said Blackman as he signed off with Kind Regards, brother Kerry. Whilst Kerry Blackman awaits a response from Les Malezer on his comments, First Nations Telegraph also waits Malezer’s response to our repeated requests for his organisation to name the ‘outsourced committee’ who was charged with the difficult task of culling over 200 applicants for the 40 Chamber 3 positions before their recent elections. Sydney identity and Wiradjuri grandmother Ann Weldon and Brisbane senior accountant Gavin Tye shared with First Nations Telegraph their disappointment of not gaining a meaningful response from the National Congress as to why they was deemed unsuitable for Chamber 3. Lindon Coombes, CEO, National Congress told Weldon and Tye in a generic letter that “there was a significant number of applicants from across Australia” and that “with a strong field of applicants it is unfortunate that on this occasion we were unable to offer you a delegates position”. After being told by staff at National Congress the culling for
Chamber 3 was done by a committee at the University of Melbourne, First Nations Telegraph sent a letter to their ViceChancellor, Glyn Davis seeking confirmation of the mysterious culling committee from his university. We await his response as we do with requests to National Congress Communications Director Liz Willis and her successor – acting whilst Willis is on leave – on their ethical approach to culling arrangements for Chamber 3. Until such time as National Congress Cochairs Malezer and Parker show some leadership and be transparent and accountable for Chamber 3 culling they will continue to be viewed by the vast majority of First Nations People – to borrow a line from Kerry Blackman - as “out of touch, arrogant and undemocratic”. Should Nigel Scullion take his place in the new Coalition Government as the stand-alone Minister for Indigenous Affairs next week and keep his promise to sack the National Congress as one of his first acts in the new administration, the one constant in our mob’s view of them as being “irrelevant” will be justified. If the National Congress is told by Scullion to ‘pack’ your bags and go home – Malezer will at last have his ‘verb’ he so wanted from Blackman.