Malcolm Turnbull has made his first visit as Prime Minister to an urban Aboriginal community in Australia. And unlike his predecessors, Minister Turnbull stayed local and spent Thursday afternoon with residents in the Eastern Sydney suburb of La Perouse.
“The La Perouse Aboriginal Alliance had the pleasure to host the Prime Minister this morning to share our vision for our community.”
Minister Turnbull met with Chris Ingrey, CEO of the La Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Council and Marcia Ella Duncan, the first Aboriginal Netballer to represent Australia.
“We’ve never had a Prime Minister just drop into La Perouse like that so it was very refreshing. He was very warm and easy to talk to,” said Miss Ella-Duncan.
Ms Ella-Duncan said that Minister Turnbull gave little notice regarding his visit and stayed for about an hour.
But in this time, she was able to discuss issues such as housing, economic empowerment and self-determination.
“It was an opportunity for the Land Council to talk about the work they do and what they have achieved over the last ten years including our challenges and plans for the future.”
“We did a drive around La Perouse so he could get a feel for our community.”
“The feedback was very positive. He learned a lot, he was struck by our community’s resilience,” Miss Ella Duncan said.
“Aboriginal people have shown tenacity and resilience in the face of great hardship and injustice ... none more so than the community at La Perouse on the shores of Botany Bay.”
The Prime Minister’s impromptu visit to an urban Aboriginal community has left us all wondering where he’ll end up next.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull visits La Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Council in south eastern Sydney. Source: Facebook
