Sam Watson
Do you think a third force will ever break through the two-party system?
I believe the Australian electorate is moving towards that. There's an enormous cynicism out there in the broader electorate. People who have traditionally voted for the major parties are now seriously considering smaller parties or independents.
So, as we've seen in recent years, the smaller parties have done well in the Senate and there have even been independents elected to lower houses. I believe that Australians are maturing politically on the one hand and on another level are becoming very cynical about the power-driven political machinery that runs the ALP and the Liberal Party.
How has the current campaign been going for the AIPP?
We're a bit of a novelty at the moment because, number one we're Aboriginal, number two it's the year of indigenous persons, so we're much sought after for interviews. We still haven't got any money, of course, but we're quite happy with the campaign to date.
We're looking towards fielding candidates in next year's local government elections in Queensland, and also the various state elections in the next few years. This campaign is a preparing stage. Our candidates and our party people are learning a great deal.
Do you have any plans for alliances with other alternative parties or independents in the future?
I believe that within the next two to three years we'll set up branches throughout Australia, so that each state will be able to tend to their own political aspirations. I believe the AIPP will be able to form very good, close relations with like-minded parties such as the Greens and Democrats.
In New Zealand the Maori party, Mana Motuhake, is in the Alliance with the NewLabour Party, the Greens and other small alternative parties. Could you see a situation like that ever arising in Australia?
I'd be very reluctant to draw parallels between the Australian situation and the New Zealand situation. In New Zealand the Maori and Polynesian peoples are a very strong force. Here in Australia black voters constitute, at the most, 1.5% of the electorate; therefore we are not taken seriously as a political threat.
Polynesian and Maori people to this day still enjoy traditional fishing rights and are still able to access a cohesive and continuing culture. Here in Australia urban Aboriginal people have lost most of their language, their ceremonies, dances etc. We are still trying to rediscover those cultures.
How much success have you had in building the AIPP in sland?
The New South Wales communities will shortly have an AIPP branch. People in Western Australia are in the process of forming their branch. Before 1993 is over we expect to have operational branches in all the mainland states.
Are you directing preferences in this election?
This was a difficult question for us. We have decided to direct our second preferences to the ALP because we are absolutely terrified of what will happen to our rural communities under a GST.