Australia: 14,400 kilometers for Aboriginal rights

In April, Pat Farmer began running across Australia in support of Indigenous people. On Saturday, a plebiscite will decide on political ideas for tribals.

The Australian pot farmer ran every day – for exactly five months and 24 days. His trip across the continent ended on Wednesday – exactly four days before Australian citizens vote in a referendum on whether to strengthen Aboriginal rights to speak out on political issues.

That’s why Pat Farmer made his career: to stand up for the rights of Indigenous peoples and draw attention to the current negative attention First Nations receive. That’s why his journey ended up in front of the Australian landmark Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock. In 2017, 250 tribal representatives met and met here Joint Declaration He launched a bid for the upcoming polls.

Tribes have not yet played a role in the Constitution

A referendum on amending the Constitution to create a body of Indigenous Australians. It’s purpose – a majority vote for the initiative – is to advise the Australian government on issues that also affect Indigenous people groups – for example when it comes to education, housing policy or the health sector. However, the Committee’s recommendations are not legally binding.

Until now, the rights of indigenous peoples had not played a role in Australia’s constitution, which was written in the 19th century. The “Voice for Parliament” referendum aims to change that. But according to current surveys, opponents of the planned constitutional change are gaining ground just ahead of the referendum.

About 3.8 percent of Australia’s population is Aboriginal. They are still disadvantaged in many areas of society today. They have poorer job prospects, die earlier and are incarcerated more often.

Run in every state

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made one of his election promises to support a referendum before winning the May 2022 general election. So when he came to Uluru he personally greeted the Bhat farmer. The head of government insisted he had “great admiration and awe” for the 61-year-old’s dedication.

In his first reaction, the farmer was “very happy” to have achieved his goal. She departed Hobart, Tasmania on 17 April. About 14,400 kilometers in its run, it crossed all Australian states and territories.

Farmer himself served as a member of the Australian Parliament for eight years. This is not the first time the ultramarathon runner has supported a political issue through sport. Among other things, she is involved in efforts to fight cancer or diabetes and the Nanhi Kali project, which aims to strengthen educational opportunities for women in India.