2022 Federal Election - Our first ever election.
5.01 % in the seat of Parkes in our 1st Election is a result any small party would kill for. By getting over 4% we received some of the same ‘Public Election Funding’ which the big parties help themselves to.
80 000 people giving us their 1st Preference while contesting only 2 Senates and 3 seats. A further 100 000 people including us in their other preferences. If you got these sort of numbers at a demonstration, any activist would be ecstatic.
Senate:
NSW Senate - Owen Whyman & Lawrence Brooke - 40 000 first preference votes (0.81%), a further 56 000 including the IAPA in their preferences.
QLD Senate - Lionel Henaway & Jenni-Lee Carr - 32 000 first preference votes (1.09%), a further 44 000 including the IAPA in their preferences.
Some remote community highlights - Woorabinda 35%, Cherbourg 33%, Wilcannia 28%, Yarrabah & Palm Island 27%
House of Representatives:
Parkes (Nth West NSW) - Derek Hardman - 4 500 votes (5.01%)
Page (Grafton / Lismore / Casino) - Brett Duroux - 1 700 votes (1.66%)
Robertson (Central Coast NSW) - Jeff Lawson - 1 100 votes (1.17%)
Some remote community highlights - Wilcannia 38%, Goodooga 17.5%
Derek Hardman 2022 Federal Election
Candidate for Division of Parkes NSW
Indigenous-Aboriginal Party of Australia
Introducing
Derek Hardman – Candidate for Parkes
Derek is a proud Barkindji man from the federal seat of Parkes. Derek lives in Broken Hill and is CEO of the Barkindji Native Title group.
Derek has been a prolific leader and advocate for Aboriginal people for most of his adult life. An example of Derek’s down to earth, generous, and practical nature was demonstrated recently as Derek, with some other Indigenous Party executives organised the ‘Deliver-roo’ initiative during Covid lockdowns at Wilcannia. Food, especially, fresh food was difficult to obtain in remote NSW towns so Derek helped organise cultural hunts on Country and on-site meat processing, to feed the mob in Wilcannia.
Derek says this is a prime example of where Traditional ways can help all Australians while enhancing local Indigenous populations with knowledge, pride, and purpose.
Always someone who respected his elders, Hardman believes in leading the way for the younger generation; demonstrating that they can contribute in meaningful ways to make a better Australia for all Australians.
Derek is concerned about the rivers and all water ways, knowing that the well being of all communities in Parkes electorate depend on the health of the Baaka (Darling) and all waterways
Derek’s list is the rivers, environment, and community as his top priorities in this election. He says cultural heritage, housing and jobs are a close second, but without healthy waterways our communities may perish.
History in the making. Canberra here we come
History in the making. Canberra here we come
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History in the making. Canberra here we come History in the making. Canberra here we come 〰️
2022 Federal Election
Jenny-lee Carr
Second Senate Candidate QLD
Indigenous-Aboriginal Party of Australia
Introducing
Jenny-lee Carr : 2nd Senate candidate for QLD
Jenny-lee has worked in the health I industry since 2002, specifically in hospital and community settings in Aboriginal Medical Services and Mental Health. Currently studying Bachelor of Criminology and Justice with the main goal of helping to improve the issues of Justice for all First Nations People.
Located in Queensland’s Lockyer Valley, Jennie-lee has a strong interest in justice for the community with children staying with the families, health issues for the community and mental health issues – especially suicide rates.
Jennie-lee’s connection to Country is from her mother’s side, with connection to Kunja and Barangun People.
Jennie-lee is currently employed in the Mental Health sector where she observes firsthand the issues facing our First Nations people. Although Closing of the Gap is in place there is still so much more that can be done. Jennie-lee believes the delivery of programs and incentives targeted at the First Nations community requires consultation and input from First Nations People themselves.
Jennie-lee says, “It is time for the Aboriginal Voice to be heard and I believe I have the ambition, focus and belief to make this happen.”
2022 Federal Election
Brett Duroux
Candidate for Division of Page NSW
Indigenous-Aboriginal Party of Australia
Introducing
Brett Duroux – Candidate for Page
Brett Duroux is a proud Yaegl, Bundjalung and Gumbaynggirr man, a family man, living with his wife and kids in Coutts Crossing, in the Federal seat of Page. Brett worked at the Grafton Ngerrie Local Aboriginal Land Council and as the Chairperson of Gugiyn Balun Aboriginal Corporation.
Brett is a fantastic communicator, with genuine interest and concern for his community. Brett is campaigning to give his community a strong voice and leadership, and to promote respect for the land and to encourage unity and equality.
Even before becoming a candidate for The Indigenous party, Brett has been an outspoken leader in his community and now Brett is keen to use the platform of the Indigenous Party to raise awareness of the issues facing the Clarence Valley which are mirrored all over the country.
Brett will be calling for no coal seam gas exploration or mining in the Clarence Valley. “We need to protect our water, farmland and towns. Mining that puts our waterways and farmlands at risk needs to stop.”
Also high on Brett’s list of priorities are addressing unemployment and skills shortages by offering free TAFE courses. He believes this will also assist with the mental health crisis Page, and the rest of the country, are facing. To this end, Brett will also be calling for Indigenous Head Spaces, to redress the suicide and incarceration rate for Indigenous people which are at epidemic proportions.
With a vast history and knowledge of the mechanics of Local Aboriginal Land Councils, Brett will continue efforts to strengthen the relationships between Land Councils and Traditional Owners and encourage them to work together.
“What interests me is talking to people about their concerns and getting answers for them, and helping my community in any way I can,” he said.
“I believe in positive change for our community.
2022 Federal Election
Lionel Henaway
First Senate Candidate QLD
Indigenous-Aboriginal Party of Australia
Introducing
Lionel Henaway: 1st Senate candidate for QLD
Lionel grew up in the Ayr/Homehill area of North Queensland and is descended from the Birrigubba Juru Aboriginal people of that area. His ancestry also includes the proud South Sea Islanders who came to this country to work in and establish the rich cane industry in North Queensland. Lionel treasures his Aboriginal and South Sea Islander heritage and has been able to apply understanding and knowledge of his heritage to bridge the gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
Lionel grew up in a large Christian family 7 boys and 7 girls, Lionel's mum had a huge impact on the children's Christian heritage and Lionel is now a Pentecostal preacher
Lionel has been employed in various Government positions, including 12 years in the police force as one of the first Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Liaison Officers for which he awarded with the Assistant Commissioner’s Award in recognition of his achievements.
For the last eight years Lionel worked with "Murri Watch Brisbane" as Indigenous Watchhouse Support officer; an integral support for Police and the Community to prevent deaths in custody.
Lionel also does Indigenous Mentoring with the Wacol Corrections Centre assisting long-term serving clients prepare for release.
As a Pentecostal preacher Lionel continues to be involved in the establishment and progression of Christian churches in North Queensland and in the Brisbane the area. His own parish consists of a broad representation of Indigenous, non-Indigenous Australians, and Pacific Islanders.
Lionel’s professional career and personal life reflect his passion for an Australia that treasures positive race relations, breaks down barriers that Indigenous people face daily, while building strong local communities
2022 Federal Election
Jeff Lawson
Candidate for Division of Robertson NSW
Indigenous-Aboriginal Party of Australia
Introducing:
Jeff Lawson – Candidate for Robertson
Jeff Lawson a proud Burramattagal man of the Dharug Nation, grew up in Mt Druitt, Western Sydney, and, as a descendant of Bungaree*, has strong cultural ties to the Central Coast.
Jeff walks in his ancestor’s footsteps opening communication and breaking down barriers between all Australians.
Very active in the community, Jeff, a Dharug Nation official, is the Indigenous Representative, and Mental First Aider for his employer, Busways, where Jeff is employed as a bus driver.
Jeff believes in action; he is a person that believes in speaking up for, and supporting, those in our community who may not have a voice, or the confidence, to speak up for themselves.
Jeff has seen firsthand the decline of mental health in the country and believes in getting back to community and healing by connection; to this end Jeff has initiated and regularly facilitates community groups supporting men in need.
Jeff strongly believes Local Aboriginal Land Councils need to work with local Traditional Owners when decisions are being made on their Country especially in matters involving land that is of significant cultural value. For example, the ridge line from Staples Lookout to Kariong. “This area must be preserved for future generations”.
*Bungaree became the first known Aboriginal person to circumnavigate Australia with Matthew Flinders and contribute to the mapping of the Australian coastline. He aided in the voyage with Flinders by communicating with local Indigenous tribes.
History in the making
History in the making
History in the making
~ history in the making
~ history in the making
History in the making History in the making History in the making ~ history in the making ~ history in the making
2022 Victorian State Election - LAYLAH ALSAIMARY - IAPA backed Independent
Victorian Legislative Assembly District of Melbourne (CBD)
After a brave attempt to become State registered in Victoria fell short we turned that momentum and energy in to backing two independent candidates:
Melbourne voters were very taken with Laylah’s story and her detailed practical policy proposals, giving her a remarkable 7.1 % of the vote at the Queen Victoria Voting Centre where IAPA volunteers were able to give out how-to-vote cards and advocate all day. The long queues allowed her remarkable HTVC to be pitched to the voters. This will need to be a model for future elections.
Laylah is a young proud Barkindji woman who grew up in Mildura in regional Victoria and had just turned 18 years old. Laylah stood for the Lower House District of Melbourne as an Independent with the full support of the Indigenous-Aboriginal Party of Australia in the very first election she was entitled to vote in.
Laylah wanted a voice for Indigenous Youth and still does. Laylah has been spurred to run in the election for many of the same reasons we became a political party:
“There needs to be a change of the way we do things in Australia......education, detention, foster care......”
Laylah was what is referred to as a 'school refuser' and her personal experiences placed Laylah in the perfect place to speak about issues affecting more and more of our young people in Australia. A school refuser is a young person who does not fit into our mainstream schooling system, so they drop out of school, resulting in a loss of all the social and empowering aspects school can bring.......school refusers are pushed to the fringes and are vulnerable to getting lost in isolation, mental illness issues, crime and drug use.
Here in Laylah’s own words in 2022:
"We need alternative schools that cater to kids who don't fit into mainstream schooling. Our Indigenous controlled schools would welcome any school refuser with our alternative curriculum focusing on health, art, sport, cooking and Indigenous culture as well as reading and writing. School refusers, of which I am one, are basically ignored. We are the group most likely to be jailed, especially if you are a boy.”
“I would like to see the bush have the same level of mental health and drug and alcohol rehab services as Melbourne. I am only 18 but I know young people who would go to youth rehab centers if they were available.”
“I would like to see Indigenous homework and drop in centres in every town in this state. These centres could be a haven for struggling and lost kids and provide fresh fruit as well as help with reading, writing and homework. They would need to be Indigenous controlled, so Indigenous kids would feel welcome there."
2022 Victorian State Election - STORM HELLMUTH - IAPA backed Independent
Victorian Legislative Council - Western Victoria Region
Storm, a proud Darkinoong man now living and working in Geelong, stood in the Western Victoria Region of the Legislative Council (Upper House) as an independent with the full support of the Indigenous-Aboriginal Party of Australia. He showed the sort of initiative and commitment needed for the IAPA to grow, quickly gathering the 50 nominations required to stand as an independent in the upper house, as well as paying his own nomination fees, producing and submitting his own election material, managing the whole nomination process and travelling regularly from Geelong to Brunswick to attend planning meetings for the Victorian campaign, over all. I true team player, he also came up and spent time door-knocking in Kensington for Laylah Al-Saimary with Brett Duroux.
Storm is a family man and owns his own successful concreting business after working his way up through brick-laying and concreting from an early age. Storm wants to improve rights for Indigenous Australians. No matter what happens in this election Storm says he will continue to raise awareness and fight for the need for a systematic change for the “way things are done” when it comes to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia.
Storm is well thought of and connected in his Geelong community, easily finding 50 people happy to nominate him as an IAPA backed candidate in the hurried lead up to the November, 2022 Victorian State Election. Storm is keen to have another go at registering the IAPA at State level in Victoria so if you think you could help him realise that vision please email the Party and we can connect you up.
2023 NSW State Election - BRETT DUROUX - IAPA backed Independent
NSW Legislative Assembly District of Clarence (Incl. Grafton, Casino & Yamba)
Despite having many NSW members and NSW being the heartland of the IAPA, the registration process is extremely taxing, so by March 2023 we still weren’t registered in NSW. Unfortunately that remains the case. But to maintain the momentum, we once again backed two independents in the NSW State election. Brett Duroux was a logical choice because he had stood for the Federal Electorate of Page in our first election.The State electorate of Clarence is encompassed by Page and is centred on Brett’s home town of Grafton.
A proud Yaegl, Bundjalung and Gumbaynnggirr Brett is campaigning to give his community a voice and strong leadership, to promote respect for the land and encourage unity and equality. A vote for Brett was a vote for:
*No coal seam gas exploration or mining in the Clarence Valley. Protect our waterways, bushland and farmland.
*Housing - no-one should be homeless in Australia
*FREE Education - make education accessible for all. Free healthy and hot lunches in all public schools. Every kid gets meal every day.
*Indigenous Youth mental health and on Country programs - mental health issues and suicide rates are tragically climbing in the Aboriginal community. No-one is unaffected. Provide more support for families and our young people. We need more programs to take kids out on Country, to support our strong elders to mentor and coach our young people.
Brett received about 1.5 % of the vote, very similar to the 1.7 % he received in the federal election. Similar to Melbourne, the couple of booths which could be manned for the entire day received votes higher than 4% or results infinitely higher than the federal election when they weren’t attended by a volunteer. If that could be achieved over the whole of an electorate, the IAPA would be on the path to a sustainable future.
2023 NSW State Election - AUNTY COLLEEN FULLER - IAPA backed Independent
NSW Legislative Council (NSW State Upper House)
Aunty Colleen is an Indigenous woman of the Darkinoong and Yuin Tribes. She comes from a line of Stolen Generations. Born and raised in Sydney suburbs near Botany Bay in a working class family, Aunty Colleen struggled with learning in school and left at 14yrs and 9 months to work in a number of fields. Aunty Colleen was the first woman in Australia to qualify as a Panel Beater and Spray Painter. As a victim of a hit and run Aunty Colleen spent 30 years in a wheelchair, but says, “ I never saw this as a disability. It gave me the ability to learn and teach others how nothing can stop us from achieving goals in life.”
Aunty Colleen does not label herself as an ‘activist’ but has strived to bring about change for all, including ‘locking on’ in the sacred Pilliga Forest to save it from coal seam gas extraction, camping on the roadside on the Central Coast for over two months to successfully save Bambara, part of Kariong Sacred Lands, standing up (or sitting down in Aunty Colleen’s case) against large mining companies in Calga NSW, and fighting to protect natural habitat and wildlife from unsustainable and destructive development in Kariong & Wadalba NSW.
Some of Aunty Colleen’s policies:
*SAVE KARIONG SACRED LANDS - endangered native habitat and wildlife and cultural site at risk of destruction for cut and fill housing development
*STOP THE CONTINUED STOLEN GENERATION - bring our kids home, support families
*THE RIGHT TO PEACEFUL DIRECT ACTION - no fines or arrests.
*MORE ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLING - enable better pathways for opening and running schools for kids who are struggling with mainstream schooling
*AFFORDABLE HOMES AND RENTAL ACCOMMODATION - stop selling our public housing. Legislate rental price maximums.
The Fadden By-election - July 2023
Passionate Aboriginal community worker and advocate, Marnie Laree Davis, contested the July 15, 2023, by-election in the Federal Gold Coast Electorate of Fadden for the IAPA. A proud Darug woman raised on Quandamooka country, with strong ties to Minjerribah, Marnie relocated to the Gold Coast (Kombumerri country) to solely raise her daughter several years ago.
Marnie’s passion is working in partnership with community members and organisations, understanding that local challenges can only be resolved by local solutions. With a passion for good community outcomes, she has been working for several years on the Gold Coast in the Aboriginal family well-being and social health field as well as within domestic violence refuges, advocating for survivors of domestic family violence.
In a very tough contest against 12 other candidates in a very conservative electorate, Marnie received a very respectable 1 % of the vote, the same as prominent corruption exposing journalist, Belinda Jones, and more than the Australian Democrats, Sustainable Australia Party, the Citizen’s Party, the Australian Federation Party and two other independents, including well regarded local, Stewart Brooker, who had received more than 4% of the vote at the last federal general election but dropped to 0.91% at this By-election. By-elections have advantages for small parties but can also attract crowded fields which split the protest vote. So all things considered, Marnie ran a great campaign and achieved an admirable result while raising community awareness of the IAPA all over the Gold Coast.
A lot of the racist misinformation around the Referendum campaign was already working its way in to the less progressive parties and communities so this led to many unpleasant experiences on the booths. Interestingly the pattern we have observed on the Central Coast, and in Lismore, Grafton, & Brisbane that woman are more receptive to the IAPA, and the young more so than the older, did not seem to hold quite as true in Fadden. Some post Referendum commentary has suggested that progress on justice for the Mob relies mostly on ‘waiting for the old racists to die off’. From our experiences in Fadden it seems there are quite a lot of conservative young people and women with hard hearts towards people suffering from entrenched disadvantage. We will need to work hard to convince these people or concentrate on areas where the voters are more receptive. At the last federal election we received 0.8% of the Senate vote in Fadden so it can be seen that Marnie’s campaigning made a difference, increasing the vote by 25%, especially impressive when Marnie’s name was buried deep on the ballot paper in a field of 13.
While people voted Yes or No in the Referendum for a variety of reasons, the vote can be used as a very rough proxy for how supportive of Aboriginal people the non-Indigenous people in an electorate are. For instance Fadden voters voted 74% No, the highest No vote of the three Gold Coast Electorates and much higher than the Qld State average of 68% No and the Nationwide vote of 60% No. All this just adds to seeing how solid Marnie’s and the IAPA’s performance was in Fadden.
