Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Hansard source

I would like to just share with the Senate an incredible weekend with the Yolngu people of north-east Arnhem Land and take this opportunity in the minute and a half that I have to thank all of those involved in organising the four-day festival. It's a massive event, the Garma festival, and I take this opportunity to particularly thank Dr Galarrwuy Yunupingu, Djawa Yunupingu, Djapirri Mununggurr, Yananymul Mununggurr, Balupalu Yunupingu, Mr Barayuwa Mununggurr and Denise Bowden, all of whom are part of the Yothu Yindi Foundation and the board that actually runs the Garma festival. The festival began in 1999 as a community gathering in Gulkula, Gumatj country, in remote north-east Arnhem Land.

It's a place where so many thousands of Australians gather, and it is an incredible weekend. You see academics, you see people from all walks of life who are coming to Nhulunbuy. They fly to Nhulunbuy and then travel up to Gulkula and they have the opportunity to learn more—in particular balanda, non-Indigenous people, learn more—about the Yolngu and the First Nations people. This weekend was incredibly important as well as the Prime Minister and my colleagues Senator Pat Dodson, Linda Burney, Marion Scrymgour, Luke Gosling and Mark Dreyfus were able to attend at the invitation of the Yolngu people. The Prime Minister then spoke about the importance of a voice to parliament and has now engaged with all of Australia, with a proposed question. On behalf of myself and my colleagues, I just say thank you to the Yolngu people of north-east Arnhem Land for your hospitality