In 1957 the first Aboriginal Australians to be granted full citizenship were Albert Namatjira and his wife Rubina.
It’s sad that despite all the rhetoric and his considerable fame and fortune, they were denied permission to buy land and build a house, which is what they wanted to do.
Sometimes when I look at his fabulous watercolors I think about them living in squalor with their meager possessions on the outskirts of Alice Springs.
Even today, sometimes fame and fortune are not enough.
Maybe the real measure is better opportunities for everyone.
Opportunities to better our lives and better opportunities for our children.
Or if it isn’t, what is?
When I vote this election I’m going to consider what opportunities are on the table for all Australians.
Our country, with all it has going for it, should be the land of opportunity.
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