Yes we can - no we can't

But as I reflect on this historic occasion I also pause to consider the contemporary plight of Indigenous Australians and ponder in my lifetime the likelihood of ever seeing an Indigenous Prime Minister in Australia.

I guess anything is possible if Obama’s David and Goliath battle to the summit of America’s political mountain is anything to go by.

Let’s for a moment consider the odds: African Americans comprise 13.5 per cent of the total population in the US. Indigenous people in Australia are 2.6 per cent of the population. Since 1886, 123 African Americans have served in the House of Representatives and five in the Senate in America whereas we have had two Indigenous Senators in Australia (Bonner and Ridgeway) and none in the House of Representatives.

With a history so devoid of Indigenous representation at the federal level it would take an extraordinary individual to capture Australia’s interest and win over their confidence to the extent that they would offer their crucial vote. That person would also need to have similar attributes as Barack Obama that transcend race.

I’m not for a moment suggesting it’s not possible but it would be akin to a Native American winning office from a statistical low percentage basis point of 0.68 per cent.

And therein lays the problem.

Aboriginal people, in the eyes of most Australians, have a fatal image problem. Unless you’re a Cathy Freeman (athlete), Jonathan Thurston (rugby league), Lance Franklin (Aussie rules) Ernie Dingo (TV star) or anyone who comfortably falls into those celebrated categories, then your chance of gaining the respect of Australians generally is minimal.

I’m on public record as saying Australians are the most racist people in the developed world for their treatment of the first Australians and I make this claim comfortable in the knowledge that I am sufficiently supported by incontestable statistical data.

Sure there are a growing number of non-Indigenous Australians who continue to support Indigenous people in seeking a fair go and equal access to the wealth of the bounty that is reaped from our lands. But sadly they are still in the minority and with their cumulative political weight have not influenced our abysmal rates of social marginalisation: dying 17 years younger than our white counterparts, severely over represented in the criminal justice system, under represented in home ownership and having least access to employment and award wages, health facilities, education and rights to our land.

If the former president of the Labor Party, Warren Mundine, can’t get a number one Senate ticket in New South Wales or even a safe blue ribbon House of Representative seat, who can?

So, as much as I’d like to conjure up romantic notions of seeing an Indigenous man or woman doing the victory waltz on election night as Barack Obama did on inauguration night - I’m afraid they are images that will have to remain just that - romantic.

I’d settle for an Indigenous person being elected to federal parliament and being appointed to the Indigenous Affairs portfolio. If that’s not possible I’d like to see an Indigenous senior policy advisor to the Minister of Indigenous Affairs.