Not recognised as a citizen, he still fought for this country. The story of Aboriginal veteran, Private Albert Knight.

At my local ANZAC Day event in Harbord, I shared the story of World War I veteran, Private Albert Knight. ?

Private Knight was an Aboriginal man.

In 1918, Knight was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for ‘great gallantry and devotion to duty’ in an attack on the village of Bony in France.

It was during a visit to Louth, 160 km south-west of Bourke that I learned about Private Albert Knight, Barkandji man. He was born in 1894 on the Station in the Toorale National Park.

Whilst fighting for Australia he was not recognised as a citizen. Despite being denied the most basic rights, Albert along with his two brothers, like many other Aboriginal men enlisted to defend our country.

It was only during his time of service that Albert found himself free from the discrimination of his everyday civilian life and, while he had the uniform on he received equal pay.

Aboriginal people have served in every conflict and commitment involving Australian defence contingents since Federation, including both world wars and the intervals of peace since the Second World War. Over that time, Aboriginal veterans have won numerous decorations for gallantry in the field, not least four Distinguished Conduct Medals and 26 Military Medals.

If that doesn’t earn you a spot in our constitution, then I don’t know what does.

I have worked with Aboriginal people in remote communities right throughout New South Wales.

Critics of The Voice say it is ineffective because it is symbolic. It became clear to me during my time as Minister that symbolism does create important practical change. ?

Symbolism creates franchise. Franchise builds participation and self-determination.

Deep in far north-west New South Wales, is a historic place called Billagoe, or Mount Drysdale. The site is a multi-layered cultural landscape with shared Aboriginal, mining, pastoral and Chinese history.

After a 20 year campaign by the local community, I listed it on the NSW State Heritage Register and declared it an Aboriginal Place in February 2022.

It was my first listing as NSW Heritage Minister.

It was at this place, 34km north of Cobar on the historic Kidman Way, Ngiyampaa Elder, Aunty Elaine explained that the recognition created by the listing was an important step in reconciliation. It repaired the disconnect her mob had felt from their land for over a century, and was important recognition that built confidence and capacity for her people to deal with more practical challenges.?

The Heritage listing strengthened the rights of Ngemba, Ngiyampaa, Wangaaypuwan and Wayilwan people to manage the site and allowed for repatriation of Aboriginal objects and remains.

Declaring an Aboriginal Place listing, like constitutional recognition of first nations people, is symbolic and does not bring an immediate resolution to issues confronting Aboriginal people, but that is no good reason to not do it either.

As Environment Minister I set out a proposal to develop a new model for Aboriginal joint management of the entire NSW national park estate.

During the process of consultation it was clear that like in most areas of society, rarely is there a homogenous view. Different Aboriginal communities have different perspectives of what works best in their local community and so divergent views on The Voice should not be used as a disqualifier for it to proceed.?

One message I took loud a clear from every Aboriginal community I met with was the value of recognition and listening – to inform practical policy development – and this is what The Voice is about.

The next chapter of Australia should be written with courage, optimism and respect. It can be written with the same courage possessed by Private Albert Knight on the Somme battlefield in May 1918.

In having a respectful debate about The Voice, we must not lose sight of our shared goal of doing better by Aboriginal Australians.

It is one thing to recognise 65,000 years of Aboriginal connection to this vast land; it is another thing to create a voice that will help Aboriginal people thrive. It is time to do both.??