Marcus Stewart, a co-chair of Victoria’s First Peoples’ Assembly has criticised state Liberal MP Bev McArthur, after she appeared to suggest Indigenous people should be grateful for the “wonderful things that have been enabled via colonisation” such as hospitals, running water and electricity.
McArthur, an upper house MP representing the western Victoria region who opposes a federal Indigenous voice to parliament, issued the statement last Wednesday, a day after the Geelong city council voted to stop recognising 26 January as Australia Day.
She also wrote an opinion piece for Spectator Australia on the same topic, which was published on Monday and titled: “Cancelling our crucible day”.
In the statement, which was not distributed by the Coalition’s media team, McArthur accused the Geelong council of “effectively saying we are not a good nation – and we should remain in a state of eternal apology”.
“There is one word that is rarely heard in this discussion, and it is a simple word. Thank you,” she wrote.
“Maybe that word should be heard loudly on Australia Day – a day to give thanks for everything that makes us one of the best nations in the world – not a perfect nation – but an extraordinary one.”
McArthur said there were “wonderful things that have been enabled via colonisation by a democratic country”, including the form of government itself.
“The arrival of Communists instead of the first fleet would no doubt have created a different outcome,” she said in the statement.
“Should we also say sorry for hospitals, roads, mobile phones, ready food at supermarkets, homes, running water, electricity for light and warmth, indigenous-only medical centres, aged care and court processes?”
The first fleet departed England in 1787, well before the Communist Manifesto was published in 1848.
Stewart, a Nira illim bulluk man, rebuked McArthur’s comments and described her as “another unknown politician saying something offensive at our expense as they try to make a name for themselves”.
“Should Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people be saying thanks for the invasion of our lands and massacre of our people? Should we be grateful that we’re the most locked up people in the country and that our kids are still being torn away from our families?” he said.
“The reality is that more and more people across this country are learning the truth and understand that the harms of colonisation are still experienced by our people today.”
Earlier this year Stewart announced he would not stand for re-election for the assembly – the body democratically elected to develop Victoria’s treaty framework – in order to join the campaign for an Indigenous voice to federal parliament.
He said the vast majority of Australians supported “creating a better future together”, with Victoria leading the journey towards a state-based treaty.
“Another unknown politician’s cynical search for relevance doesn’t change that,” Stewart said.
The minister for treaty and Aboriginal affairs, Gabrielle Williams, said the state government is “standing with our Indigenous population” in support of the voice. “Decisions relating to local Australia Day celebrations are a matter for individual councils,” she said.
Asked about Stewart’s criticisms of her statement, McArthur said it was “deeply regrettable that my comments have been seriously misrepresented”.
“My piece makes no attempt to ignore history or past difficulties and traumas,” McArthur said.
“I noted the wrongs committed towards our Aboriginal population, [and] the fact that we have said sorry as a nation, and we meant it.
“My contention, contained within the article – is that recognising past and ongoing wrongs and traumas is absolutely correct, but that Australia Day should be a day where those who wish can celebrate everything that makes us one of the best nations in the world – not a perfect nation – but an extraordinary one.”
Geelong is the fourth Victorian local government to cease holding citizenship ceremonies and other events on Australia Day.
It has resolved to use the date to acknowledge Indigenous Australians through cultural events and activities in the region.
The Greens-led Merri-bek council, in Melbourne’s north, last year decided to recognise 26 January as a day of mourning, while Yarra and Darebin councils voted to stop holding citizenship ceremonies on Australia Day in 2017.
Last month Victorian Liberal MPs voted in favour of a “non-binding position” ahead of the voice referendum, meaning they will be able to campaign for either the Yes or No campaigns.
The party leader, John Pesutto, is yet to say how he is voting. He declined to comment on McArthur’s statement.
This article was amended on 31 May 2023 to clarify Bev McArthur’s statement and to add in her response to criticism.
