A First Nations MP from the Northern Territory has resigned from parliament, accusing the ruling Country Liberal party of introducing laws that are “dehumanising, oppressing and destroying our communities and our people”, and contributing to a breakdown of culture that he says is “becoming a slow genocide”.
Yiŋiya Guyula, a Yolŋu man from the Djambarrpuyŋu clan in east Arnhem Land, was elected as the independent member for Nhulunbuy, now known as Mulka, in ۲۰۱۶.
In a statement on Wednesday, Guyula said he could no longer “sit opposite a government who are not willing to listen or form partnerships”, and accused the Finocchiaro government of not being willing to work with First Nations people.
“I have been sent by my people to work with the government but their answer has always been, ‘we know what is best for you’, rather than working in partnership with us,” he said.
“What I have discovered is that Aboriginal communities are the political football that gets passed around with no real intention of working with our people to bring positive change for our communities.”
He specifically criticised the passage of new child protection laws which had been widely criticised by communities and peak Indigenous bodies, and prompted the resignation last month of the NT children’s commissioner, Shahleena Musk.
Guyula said the Territory government changed the laws “with no consultation with our communities” and ignored an appeal he made to withdraw the bill.
“Since their election, the CLP have introduced too many laws that are dehumanising, oppressing and destroying our communities and our people,” he said. “They have significantly failed Aboriginal people and their ongoing actions are contributing to the breakdown of our culture and people, in what is now becoming a slow genocide.
“I no longer feel that I can be a part of the NT parliament and sit opposite a government who are not willing to listen or form partnerships. We are sovereign people and the only way things will improve is when the government recognise that and come and sit with us respectfully. We are kindly offering partnership, but instead of diplomacy the government are walking all over us.
“This is very serious business because people are dying. I buried a younger brother earlier this month and on Friday the funeral for my older brother will begin. We have people dying avoidable deaths every day. We are physically, mentally and spiritually struggling because of the frequent loss of family members as we move from one funeral to the next.”
The minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy, said Guyula was a “man of great strength and leadership” who had a “deeply held sense of justice he carried with him in the Northern Territory parliament”.
after newsletter promotion
“He is a man of many firsts. A commercial pilot, a bilingual educator and the Member for Mulka,” she said. “I know his story is not done with his retirement. He will continue to fight for homelands, for justice and against racism.”
The independent senator for Victoria, Lidia Thorpe, also issued a statement in solidarity with Guyula and said it was “heartbreaking” to hear of his resignation.
“His election as an Independent three times was historic. He showed that Aboriginal people can represent their communities on their own terms, accountable directly to their people rather than to any political party. He has shown how important Blak Sovereign voices in politics are, and his leadership will be missed,” Thorpe said.
A byelection will be held for the seat of Mulka, with a date yet to be announced.
Guardian Australia has approached the NT government for comment.
