On Aboriginal Australia Hazel Hawke was arguably at her most impassioned and unrelenting. With regard to the impoverished status of many in Aboriginal society and the impending conundrum of the Bicentennial in Australia she said in her 1984 Press Club Australia Day speech:

'Today we celebrate the coming of non-aborigines to Australia - invaders is I suppose the stringent word.'

And earlier she spoke at greater length:

'It's tragic to see the ramifications of the overlay of our white law. This includes of course the way we have legislated one of the most significant elements in their lives, the land in which they live away from their use. And therefore threatened their material survival and their spiritual fulfilment.'

And,

'I hope very much that by 1988 when we celebrate the 200th anniversary of white occupancy of Australia, we relative newcomers will have developed a greater understanding of the historical process which has interfered with a viable, strong culture and therefore have a more sensitive and informed set of attitudes instead of a knee jerk emotional reaction to a dilemma in the too hard basket.'

 

Tracey Moffatt, Diane Moon, Design and Print Consultant, Alison Alder, Redback Graphix
Maningrida, 1988
Offset print, 610 x850cm
Kerry Stokes Collection, Perth
Photograph: JCPML00772/3

Michael Callaghan, Redback Graphix,
Stop the Killing Times, 1988
Silkscreen print, 60 x 91cm
Kerry Stokes Collection, Perth
Photograph: JCPML00772/3