Gary Foley has written the following on Facebook about the recognition campaign:

“I have seen it suggested that the debate about constitutional recognition merely involves discussion about the wording of proposed change. The simple truth is that there is NO argument in Black Australia about the wording. That is an illusion generated by the tiny minority of mostly black middle-class advocates of recognition.

The fact is that a clear majority of ordinary Aboriginal people are NOT interested in constitutional recognition! It is regarded by most Aboriginal people as a meaningless token gesture that will do nothing to alleviate the appalling imprisonment rates, shocking health statistics and complete lack of land rights and self-determination.

Furthermore, anyone who thinks that any federal referendum held today that involves Aboriginal issues has any chance of being passed in this country today is deluding themselves. The fact is that since the era of Pauline Hanson most Australians now feel entitled to openly express the deeply embedded racism that has been a major defining feature of Australian society since Federation. Consequently there will NOT be a repeat of the result seen in the famous 1967 referendum. One does not have to be a clairvoyant to predict this.

So if you believe constitutional recognition is the way to go then dream on. It will never happen.”

Gary Foley: the farce of recognition