DJAB Wurrung woman and Ballarat-based First Nations advocate, Sissy Austin, is one of four Indigenous candidates on the Greens\u2019 Victorian Senate ticket.<\/p>\n
The all-First Nations marks marks a Victorian first, and Ms Austin, who sits at third on the ballot said she\u2019s \u201creally proud\u201d to be a part of it.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been a really good experience in doing it together,\u201d she said. \u201cI find often in this country and this community I often feel like this lone First Nations voice.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s good to be part of this ticket but also just a part of an incredibly significant collective.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Austin said her top priority within the Senate would be to form a treaty which she said would alleviate much of the \u201coverarching inequalities\u201d that First Nations people face.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe issue of family violence for First Nations women is something I\u2019m very passionate about that could be addressed and tackled via a treaty or truth-telling,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt would bring to the surface historical violence faced by First Nations women and how that\u2019s shaped the way they\u2019re treated in society today.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt would also ensure that First Nations\u2019 knowledge, voices, and experience is leading the climate battle. Too often our knowledge is called on at the last minute rather than at the beginning.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Austin said she would continue her advocacy efforts through the Senate around issues of First Nations family violence and child removal.<\/p>\n
With the ticket fronted by Greens senator Lidia Thorpe, Ms Austin said an all-Indigenous ticket will allow the Greens to \u201cbuild that trust\u201d with First Nations communities.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt engages us in a way like no other, having our own mob there, and it\u2019ll allow them to see what\u2019s going on politically through our eyes,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m honoured that I\u2019m in this generation where I can compare and contrast what it was like not having that representation to what it\u2019s like now with Lidia.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Austin\u2019s ticket constituents include Taungurung man Adam Frogley and Wiradjuri nonbinary person Zeb Payne.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
DJAB Wurrung woman and Ballarat-based First Nations advocate, Sissy Austin, is one of four Indigenous candidates on the Greens\u2019 Victorian Senate ticket. The all-First Nations marks marks a Victorian first, and Ms Austin, who sits at third on the ballot said she\u2019s \u201creally proud\u201d to be a part of it. \u201cIt\u2019s been a really good […]<\/p>\n