Crying out for an Aboriginal voice in the Senate

 

Voice of reconciliation

 

Wiradjuri women looking to make Senate history
 
FAYE WHEELER
16 Aug, 2010 04:00 AM

photo Jennifer Stefanac and Tucky Tania Cooley are both running for the Senate in NSW at the federal election.  photo By AMY GRIFFITHS

It is madness to have boarded-up housing commission properties in Dubbo in light of the city’s lack of emergency accommodation, NSW Senate candidate and Wiradjuri woman Jennifer Stefanac says.
Nor was it acceptable to have children in the Orana Juvenile Justice Centre because there was nowhere else for them to go, she said.
If she and running mate Tucky Tania Cooley were NSW senators, Ms Stefanac said, they would work on seeing that resources were used to make people’s lives better.
“We want to make history, be the first female Aboriginal senators,” Ms Stefanac said.
“Move over Julia, it’s time for black women (in the Parliament) - and I’ll be arguing with her.”
Ms Stefanac and Ms Cooley are running under the banner of Independents for Reconcile Australia and want to form a party called the Reconcile Australia Party.
They were in Dubbo last week to meet voters and renew relationships formed through work and family.
Ms Stefanac was born at Wellington and Ms Cooley’s family also comes from the Dubbo area.
“In standing it was important to come home, to let people know what we’re standing for,” Ms Stefanac said.
“I’m a Smith from Wellington and Tucky’s dad is a Peckham.”
They said those connections were important because Aboriginal people needed representation in the political processes of Australia.
“I think it’s only fair that Aboriginal people work within government and within areas they legislate on to say how does it affect Aboriginal people in particular and the nation more broadly,” Ms Stefanac said.
The experience they gained in their careers - Ms Stefanac worked in child protection and Ms Cooley worked in mental health - has given them an awareness of problems that are “ignored”.
“Where are our leaders putting these resources?” Ms Stefanac asked, citing the former Gordon Estate as a resource that was “sitting idle” when it could be used for short-term and emergency accommodation. “All levels of government ... are wasting resources where they’re not needed and when there are good projects, they pull the plug,” she said. “Our ministers and heads of agencies can change things at the click of a button, why aren’t they doing so to make people’s lives better”
Media Release
Press Release - 7 August 2007
 New Political Party
 Indigenous Australia needs representation in the Australian political landscape. Reconcile Australia Party has been formed to refocus Australia’s political processes onto the issues that are relevant for Indigenous Australians and the broader Australian community. The independentsfor reconcileaustralia Party requires membership from Indigenous and Non Indigenous Australians who believe in an Australia that provides equal life chances for all.
 We invite you to visit www.reconcileaustraliaparty.org to view our policy platforms.  
from the Cessnock Advertiser 22nd August 2007
New party could form in Cessnock
Cessnock woman Jennifer Stefanac has announced her intention to stand as a candidate for the Senate in the upcoming Federal election, representing the newly-founded independents fo reconcile Australia.
The party has been formed by Jennifer &  Ken Banning as Senior Policy Advisor and Senate Group Agent, with the aim to re-focus Australia's political processes on to the issues that are relevant for Indigenous Australians and the broader Australian community.
Jennifer, who is of Aboriginal descent, lives in Cessnock with her husband Warren and their three teenage daughters. She was born in Wellington, NSW in 1969 and was adopted out to an Anglo-Saxon Australian family and grew up in Sydney's western suburbs.
She tracked down her natural family in the 1990s and has since been forging relationships with her natural family and extended family, in an ongoing journey that has been integral to finding her identity and cultural heritage.
Jennifer has worked in various government departments over the past 10 years, as an administrative assistant, customer service officer, project administrative officer. Aboriginal education assistant and currently as a child protection caseworker.
Throughout her career, and particularly in her current role, Jennifer has seen how some people struggle with certain legislations that are imposed on Aboriginal communities. " independents for reconcile Australia  Party will give us a black voice in Parliament, which I think is lacking, and examine legislation with a black perspective," Jennifer said.
The party hopes to keep the issues that are important to Indigenous families at the forefront of political debate in Australia, while encouraging all Australians to value their diversity.
"We are encouraging an Australia', that values each other and our diversity, and change for the better," Jennifer said.
In order to appear on the Senate ballot paper, the political party needs to be registered with the Australian Electoral Commission, and to do be registered, the party must have at least 500 members.
Members are invited to leave their comments and ideas on the party's web-site, and they are also needed to hand out How to Vote material on the Election Day.
If you would like to become a member of the  independents for  reconcile Australia .
visit their website www.reconceaustraliaparty.org
phone 0403 469 284, or write to Address PO Box 841 Toronto NSW 2283
 

Crying out for an Aboriginal voice in the Senate
14 AUG 10 @ 12:00PM BY LAWRENCE MACHADO
X factor... Jennifer Stefanac is part of an Aboriginal ticket under Group X on the Senate ballot paper.
JENNIFER Stefanac has seen society from both sides of the fence.
An Aborigine adopted at birth by a white Australian family, she later found her natural parents 20 years ago and lives close to them.
Now 41, the Kingswood woman is running as an independent in the Senate under Group X with close friend Tucky Tania Cooley.
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‘The Aboriginal people have had no representation at the Senate for some years now and we want to be involved with the decision making,” Mrs Stefanac said.
“We would like to review the legislation when it comes to the Senate so that we could see how it affects indigenous families.
“Australian people are passionate about reconciliation and if people know we are running for election, I am confident we can do well.”
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The mother of three works as a child protection officer but had to resign from her job to contest the election. A member of the Wiradjuri tribe, she ran unsuccessfully in the 2007 poll. However, the experience convinced her to continue to fight for a better future for her people.
“We are disadvantaged in health, education, employment and housing,” Mrs Stefanac said.
“We want to change this and help build a sustainable future for every Australian family. We are getting a positive response from people on these issues.”
Inquiries: independentsforreconcileaustralia.org.
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