As the 25th Garma festival commences in north-east Arnhem Land, the Uluru Dialogue, prominent advocates for the Indigenous voice to parliament referendum, have issued a forceful condemnation of the current Australian government, asserting that it maintains a “performative” status quo that demonstrably neglects the fundamental rights of First Nations Australians.
This scathing critique from the architects of the Uluru Statement comes amidst growing disillusionment with the pace of genuine change. They emphasize a critical lack of progress, articulating a sentiment of “Enough is enough,” and highlighting that the current situation mirrors the stagnant conditions observed as early as March, indicating an enduring “status quo” without meaningful advancement on vital Indigenous issues.
The Uluru Dialogue’s pointed comments follow the release of alarming data that starkly illustrates the worsening state of key targets under the Closing the Gap initiative. This includes concerning increases in youth and adult imprisonment rates, a rise in the number of children in out-of-home care, and continued challenges with suicide rates and childhood development, with only a fraction of the 19 measures currently on track for success.
The human cost of this stagnation is profound, as articulated by the Uluru Dialogue: “Our children are being locked up, our Elders are dying, and our people are continuing to live in a country where their rights are neglected. Their voices and calls for help falling on deaf ears.” This paints a stark picture of the lived realities faced by First Nations communities in Australia.
While the Garma Festival is often perceived as an important political forum, the Uluru Dialogue views it as a “performative opportunity” for the government to reiterate talking points rather than demonstrate substantive action. They clarify that their disappointment transcends the festival itself, extending to the profound frustration over how different the year could have unfolded had there been a fully implemented Indigenous voice to parliament.
The core of their argument revolves around accountability and the effectiveness of existing agreements. They lament that despite 18 years dedicated to making progress on Closing the Gap, the same institutions and individuals continue to dictate policy, leading to a profound absence of genuine accountability, compounded by the fact that current agreements are neither legally binding nor truly enforceable.
The Garma festival itself holds significant cultural and historical weight, marking its 25th anniversary as a vital annual event showcasing Yolŋu art, song, bunggul (dance), and storytelling on the culturally significant ceremonial grounds of Gulkula. It has evolved into an essential policy forum, regularly drawing prominent political figures including the Prime Minister and Indigenous affairs minister.
The 2025 Garma theme, “rom ga waŋa wataŋu,” which translates to “the law of the land, standing firm,” powerfully encapsulates the ongoing struggle and unwavering determination of the Yolŋu people in their pursuit of empowerment, land rights, and rightful recognition within Australian politics. The message from the Uluru Dialogue underscores the urgency of this pursuit in the face of governmental inaction on Indigenous rights and social justice.
