NGALAN MURRUMU OF WALUBARA FOREIGN AFFAIRS & TRADE MINISTER FOREIGN RELATIONS, DIPLOMACY & GOVERNANCE SPEECH [Tuesday 24th of April 2018] Before we proceed may I ask you to join me in a word of prayer to welcome our heavenly father to this place. Gayaburra mulawai gudan nyinang, gumanyi boori bulwar mulawai yabanji Yidi nadjin, Gayaburra gurrinyi. Thank you. I must be permitted to congratulate all Foreign Ministers and representatives for making this historic gathering here on the Yidindji territory. There is no doubt in my mind that your astuteness, statesmanship, experience were considered carefully by your colleagues and that I must say your appointments to these importance offices require and comes with a level of responsibility that we must together exercise and assert together. Before I present this speech I would also like to mention the attendance of the Honourable GaanYarra of Yalmabara, the Attorney-General for the Sovereign Yidindji Government and Her Excellency, Lara-Leslie of Gundungurra, Ambassador to the Ngambri Territory & our special envoy to Latin America, they will both also be presenting today during this exciting event. As the Minister for Foreign Affairs & Trade for the Sovereign Yidindji Government I must now convey my must heart felt welcome to our visiting Foreign Ministers and delegates. Wagan Guburu, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Development and Trade Wadja Tribal Governing Council. Au Esou Gagee C Whaleboat, Peibri Nation – Mer Minister for Foreign Affairs, Development and Trade & Personal Advisor to Chief Minister. Muldugie of Nywaigi, Foreign Affairs, Development & Trade Minister Bagaarrmuguwarra Tribal Governing Council. Thupumulla of Yeium, Personal advisor to the Wanum Society,Wanum Nation. Wobuna Banbari, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Development & Trade,Yuru Tribal Governing Council. Chief Beroto, Personal advisor to the Kaurareg Society, Kaurareg Nation.
Thank you all for your presence and attendance here today. At the Foreign Relations, Diplomacy & Governance summit. I can not stress enough the importance of this gathering here today and the impact it may have in years to come. In my capacity as Foreign Affairs Minister it is important to assure your governing bodies that the Sovereign Yidindji Government will continue to support nations who's aims and objectives are to achieve self government and self determination. Indeed, it is essential for the Yidindji Nation through its government to promote the preservation of peace, promotion of economic development, and the safeguarding of the inalienable right to self govern. Can I say that in your true & correct capacities, you have our unflinching support. Today, together we are promoting this ideal of collective security, after all isn't this a tribal trait of hunting and gathering together, one of tradition? May I say that our travels as government and or systems of authority, are on the same path. The Yidindji territory is a small state and like many nations represented here universal peace and perpetual amity are necessary conditions for the political and economic survival of countries like ours. We do not have the capacity and or intent to settle issues by force of arms or to make war on anybody, this is not our way. The Indigenous peoples of the planet are armed with the truth, it is sharper than any sword, mightier than any cannon. The truth is that we are here with language, the true gift of law, the characteristics of the ones with the true and correct pedigree, and access to a sovereign authority. It is natural for the Yidindji and no doubt your nations to settle things quickly, resolve outstanding business. My friends anyone who attempts to use force & wrong to achieve their goals, is an enemy of peace. Together we share now the philosophy of peaceful settlements, by non violent measures. Today we are here to provide the remedy. But to do these things indigenous nations must step up to offer the remedy to the Commonwealth of Australia, these offers must be done as nation to nation. A few years ago a small group of men and women created our government under a tree. And now several years have passed and a few of our brave people have also passed on. It would be something if they could see our governments gathering here today. We formed our government departments, we opened up an Embassy, we had our Yidindji vehicles and minted number plates, licenses, identification, and now we have stamps and passports on the way. We did not simply create these things on the spot, we had to carefully consider putting together and writing the laws that would govern and create these powers.
Not everything has gone to perfection, but I've yet to see or read about a perfect government, I doubt in my lifetime I will ever see one. But my point is, if it is your wish to self govern, then govern. If you don't govern yourselves, then you will be governed. On August 17, 2017 the Honourable Chief Minister, Gudju-Gudju of Gimuybara, the AttorneyGeneral and myself travelled to meet with the Prime Minister and Cabinet to deliver in person our offer of a road map to treaty. We were received by the government of the Commonwealth of Australia's senior cabinet Minister Nigel Scullion. I won't say much more than this because my colleague, the Attorney-General will talk of this in length during his presentation. But I will say this build it and they will come. And here we are building and developing foreign relations, diplomacy and governance. It is imperative that we now look at developing together successful economies, stable governments, to be the friends of UN member states who are governed by the rule of law and international norms. I must be remind all Ministers and delegates that the members of the Yidindji society so chooseth to act through its government; that is to say official Yidindji business, to be conducted both at home and abroad, has been authorised and vested in the legal personality that is the Sovereign Yidindji Government. Our concern is there are ‘Indigenous Australians’ who may claim to act for and on behalf of the Yidindji society, this would be not only incorrect, but would cause great offense & potential injury. We must be a friend at all times, and a foe to no one. We must do this with integrity, honour and consistency and more importantly – our way. May I encourage all my Foreign Minister colleagues that we must do our best to show consistency to the offer of trusteeship to be concluded on between our nations & the Commonwealth of Australia, May Gayaburra bless & protect you and your nation as we head down this journey. End of speech.