Nigel Scullion (NT, Country Liberal Party, Minister for Indigenous Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

I seek leave to move a motion relating to the deaths of two remarkable Australians, Mr Yami Lester OAM and Dr G Yunupingu.

Leave granted.

I move:

That the Senate records its sincere condolences at the deaths, on 21 July 2017 of Mr Kunmanara Lester OAM, and on 25 July 2017 of Dr G Yunupingu, places on record its gratitude and admiration for their service to the nation, and tenders its profound sympathy to their family and community in their bereavement.

I rise on behalf of the coalition government to pay respects and provide sincere condolences to the families, friends and communities of two remarkable men, two First Australians, who have each made such a difference to the nation through their own respective life paths. Today the Senate pays respects to the outstanding and remarkable contributions of Dr G Yunupingu and Mr Yami Lester. Perhaps what is most striking is that both of these men lived a life without sight, but certainly not without insight and vision, for these two men saw and strived for a better future for their people using both words and action.

I was incredibly saddened by the news of Dr G Yunupingu's passing, having had the delight of spending time with him in very different circumstances to most people, on his country. In my previous life as a commercial fisherman, I and my young family at the time spent many years around Dr G Yunupingu's country, around his home, particularly on the northern end of Elcho Island. I consider myself blessed to have been able to know this man on his country, when many would see he was most himself.

In fact, I learned that, despite being born blind, Mr G Yunupingu was a great optimist and a man who made the best of everything. He was a hero of his people and his community and a champion of the Indigenous music industry. In fact, he was a champion of the Australian music industry, taking Indigenous music and Australian culture to the world. Learning to play the guitar from an early age, Dr G Yunupingu joined the acclaimed Yothu Yindi band as a teenager. This band changed the Australian music industry for the better and, more importantly, changed the psyche of our nation through its thought-provoking songs and powerful lyrics. This music compelled you to listen. It was music that made all who heard it stop and listen, to listen and learn.

Dr G Yunupingu's uncle, senior Gumatj elder Djunga Djunga Yunupingu, is reported to have told the crowd at the National Indigenous Awards last week that Dr G Yunupingu 'built a bridge between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australia with his music. Both Yolngu and Balanda walking together hand in hand—two laws, two people, one country.' These words speak to the moving and reconciling impact of the life Dr G Yunupingu lived, which, sadly, was all too short. The coalition government and this parliament recognise kidney disease as an important health condition impacting too greatly on our first Australians. Recognising this, we have invested in significant renal services, including dialysis, and we will continue to push for improved services for Territorians.

Dr G Yunupingu's achievements over his life have left a legacy in the music industry. He will remain one of Australia's most treasured music artists, described by the Prime Minister as a remarkable Australian who shared Yolngu language with the world through music. Dr G Yunupingu stands among the many Yolngu leaders who have gone before him, including those who were signatories of the Yirrkala bark petitions that were tabled in Parliament this very week back in 1963. Family, friends, fellow Territorians, fans and followers will mark Dr G Yunupingu's life and provide a final farewell on Tuesday, 19 September at the Darwin Convention Centre.

Today the Senate also provides its sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr Yami Lester OAM, who passed away on 21 July 2017. Born in the early 1940s in the APY Lands, on Granite Downs Station in the far north of South Australia, Yami, a Yankunytjatjara man, would go on to live a legacy of leadership that our country acknowledges with sincerity. The stature of Mr Lester's leadership was demonstrated in all he did, including as first chair of Pitjantjatjara Council, regional councillor, zone commissioner, driving force of the Institute of Aboriginal Development and chair of the Nganampa Health Council.

Mr Lester is a man who rose from personal tragedy. He was tragically blinded as a young man as a result of the black mist from the nuclear bomb test that blew through his homelands in South Australian when he was only a child. In the decades that followed, Mr Lester's passion was to fight for justice and restoration for his people and rightful recognition. He was courageous and persistent. He succeeded in delivering better outcomes for the community he served—for land rights, the health of his people, education, language and culture. He fought for a better future, better health, better education and better jobs.

In all of this, he demonstrated the power of his influence in bringing about major change. At the state funeral, which I attended with my colleagues Senator Dodson and the member for Lingiari from the other place, I spoke with Mr Lester's son, Leroy, who shared with me his father's passion about improving school attendance in his own community. Mr Lester knew the benefits education can bring not only to his people but to all Australians. His record of achievement has left a legacy of better outcomes for his community, his people and his nation. Mr Lester advocated for the Pitjantjatjara land rights act. He was part of the historic handover of Uluru-Kata Tjuta,and we remember how he stood alongside Governor-General Sir Ninian Stephen in 1975 and interpreted speech. He tirelessly advocated for the McMillan royal commission into the British nuclear test that later saw his people compensated.

Mr Lester's leadership created a legacy that will not be forgotten. He will be remembered as a man of great strength, intelligence, courage and great kindness. The Prime Minister has described Yami as an extraordinary Australian whose courageous life will be remembered forever.

Both Yami Lester and Dr G Yunupingu leave behind loving families and a nation that is better off for their contribution and worse off for their passing. We the Australian government commemorate the remarkable lives they lived and pay respect to the legacy they leave. Vale Dr G Yunupingu and Yami Lester.