Redfern Aboriginal Tent Embassy still kicking on

The Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) has passed a motion pledging support to the Redfern Aboriginal Tent Embassy (RATE), which last week celebrated its first anniversary. RATE has been standing and fighting against the erosion of land rights in the inner Sydney suburb.

It was set up on 26 May 2014 to demand that the Aboriginal Housing Company (AHC) build quality low-cost housing for Aboriginal people rather than build private apartment blocks that enrich the corrupt AHC and Daycorp Developments.

The MUA expressed its solidarity by sending a contingent to RATE, along with organising a press conference. Speaking to the media, an MUA representative said:

“The MUA will support, whenever we can and wherever we can. We believe in their cause; we believe that these people have a right to exist. They have the right to have a home. Their kids have the right to be warm at night … The MUA and the CFMEU and other unions … pledge our support to these people and their just cause. All power to the people of Redfern and the Tent Embassy.”

Both the New South Wales and federal governments want to destroy Aboriginal land rights. RATE is standing in their way in Redfern. Union support is crucial if we are going to win.

[Dave Clarke is a member of the Indigenous Social Justice Association.]