First Nations Right

To introduce their pitch, the Tasmanian team talked about the repercussions and ongoing impacts of colonisation and dispossession within First Nations communities which have perpetuated mistreatment, inequality and intergenerational trauma. A key point of their pitch was the failure of the Australian educational system to teach the accurate history of colonialism and First Nations history, leading to an acute misrepresentation of the history of this country and lack of accurate representation of First Nations people and history. This exclusion contributes to racist stereotypes and discriminatory attitudes which continues to marginalise Fist Nations people.

The key policy pitch of the Tasmanian team was the need to review and reform the Australian education system in the teaching of First Nations history which would greatly contribute to shifting the negative narrative around First Nations people and consequently help address the stigma and discrimination they remain subjected to.

Solutions:

1. Australian primary and high schools must implement educational programs about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history that are holistic, truthful, and culturally appropriate.
2. These programs must be designed and delivered by First Nations people.
3. Change the date for Australia Day in recognition that the 26th of January commemorates the plight of the First Nations people, and a step towards reconciliation is to recognise it as such.