'We have paid rent in blood'
By Kim Bullimore
CANBERRA — On the eve of Invasion/Survival Day (January 26), the Daily Telegraph reported that the federal government intended to move the Aboriginal Tent Embassy from the lawns of Old Parliament House. According to the article, the minister for territories, Senator Ian MacDonald, would use a 68-year-old trespass ordinance to remove the 27-year-old embassy.
Under section 8A of the Trespass and Commonwealth Land Ordinance (1932), the commonwealth has the power to remove people camping, occupying or erecting structures on gazetted land, unless they have obtained a permit. The land on which the Tent Embassy is situated was gazetted on January 15.
MacDonald was quoted in the January 26 Australian as saying he was "uncertain as to the meaning of the current embassy, given that it seems now to be the focal point for issues totally unrelated to the original embassy". MacDonald suggested that a "suitable memorial" be erected in place of the Tent Embassy.
The original Tent Embassy was erected on January 26, 1972. It became the rallying point for the burgeoning Aboriginal land rights movement.
"The Tent Embassy is a symbol of our fight; that is why they want to remove it", embassy spokesperson Isabel Coe told Green Left Weekly. Coe said the federal government's attempt to remove the embassy is reminiscent of the McMahon Liberal government's attempt in 1972.
Coe, who defended the embassy in 1972, declared: "The government is gutless. This is the people's movement that has been here for 27 years. We will not be moved."
Countering government complaints about the embassy's appearance, Coe said it "represents how many of our people live, and I might add this is much better than what a lot of them have to put up with. It is not supposed to be acceptable to the government."
Aboriginal elder Kevin Buzzacott added: "They have been in our front yards for 211 years. It is time for justice to prevail."
On January 26, members of the tent embassy were joined by 200 supporters. Two climbed onto the roof of Old Parliament House and draped an Aboriginal flag over the front of the building. The flag was removed by security guards an hour later.
Anyone wishing to offer support can contact the embassy at <tentemb@cyberone.com.au>.<|>