That’s it from us for this week dear reader and we leave you with an important new song from Aussie legend Paul Kelly. Australia will be holding its indigenous voice referendum next month, a piece of legislation which would represent the views within the constitution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders for the first time since the land was stolen from them, the sovereignty for which has never been ceded. Sadly, due to a torrent of social media misinformation it’s looking like the yes vote is going to lose – the slogan for which is “if not now, when?” Paul Kelly has long been a supporter of Australia’s indigenous communities and a voice for them within the mainstream. We reproduce the lyrics here below. Have a good one.
“It’s a splinter in the mind, a whisper in the heart A feeling something’s missing, some crucial little part
It’s business that’s unfinished, a reckoning that’s due If not now, then when? If not us, then who?
It’s a simple proposition to join the new and old A chance to make our country larger in its soul
It’s an invitation offered to set our course anew If not now, then when? If not us, then who?
How long can we keep walking with this stone in our shoe? If not now, then when? If not us, then who?
We may never get another chance like this again If not us, then who? If not now, then when
Too many falling far behind, shut out of the deal. If you called and no-one heard you, imagine how you’d feel
This land was never given, it was taken and then sold But its ancient songs and stories are a gift greater than gold
The status quo is busted, let’s stop kicking that old can If not us, then who? If not now, then when?
It’s business that’s unfinished, high time to see it through If not now, then when? If not us, then who?”
