Issues and agendas to push

My list of the 20 “usual suspects” comes from my observation from the past 12 months of media coverage identifying outstanding service and/or active participation at the national level on Indigenous issues and are as follows: Mick Dodson, Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue, Professor Marcia Langton, Pat Dodson, Marion Scymgour MP, Sam Watson Jn, John Toshie Kris, Mark Bin Baker, Professor Larrisa Berhrendt, Grace Smallwood, Noel Pearson, Cathy Freeman, Michael Mansell, Klynton Wanganeen, Tom Calma, Linda Burnie MP, Anthony Mundine, Pat Turner, Galarrwuy Yunupingu, and Dennis Eggington.

 Many people have asked me who Dr Kelvin Kong (PDF 340KB), the original session leader, is and what special skills the government thought he possessed for the onerous task he was given.

The 34-year-old told The Sunday Telegraph in November 2006, when he made history by becoming Australia’s first Aboriginal surgeon, that he hopes to inspire more Indigenous people to pursue careers in medicine and other academic arenas.

"I feel like a bit of an accidental hero because I don't like the limelight at all," he said. "The ideal day will be when it's not special - when there are thousands of Indigenous doctors."

Dr Kong credits his mother, Grace Kinsella, a registered nurse, for inspiring him and his 36-year-old twin sisters to become doctors.

I’ve not met Dr Kong but going on his initial media interview and what I’ve subsequently read of him I have a sense that he possesses fine attributes of benevolence and ambition. His palpable pride in his Indigenous heritage makes him an ideal role model for the younger generation and a popular choice as the 2020 Forum Indigenous session leader.

I wish him and his family all the very best as they tackle a family health issue together.

I also wish Dr Huggins and the 100 specially selected Indigenous delegates the very best for a robust and fruitful debate which hopefully will contribute to long term policy formulation that will enhance living standards of all Indigenous Australians.

The Australia 2020 Summit goals for the Indigenous session include:

• how we forge a new partnership with between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australia to overcome disadvantage and provide practical pathways to the future;
• the role of targeted programs and interventions such as the Northern Territory Intervention and the Cape York Welfare Reform Trials in achieving change in remote communities;
• how we might promote economic development in remote Australia to provide Indigenous community members with the opportunity to be economically independent;
• improving access to mainstream programs by Indigenous Australians; and
• promoting and preserving Indigenous culture, languages and traditions.

Many cynics might argue that the 2020 Forum will be nothing more than a glorified yarning circle (talkfest) that will achieve no real outcomes other than providing the government with an opportunity to say they’ve consulted.

I don’t embrace that ideological notion but rather adopt the glass is half full credence with an open and positive mind. We need fresh ideas and any change in government policy that might emanate from this forum is a change in the right direction as far as I’m concern.