Indigenous broadcaster Susan Moylan-Coombs, who is running as an independent for the federal seat of Warringah, says she hopes there will be more discussions around Australia Day's date.
Ms Moylan-Coombs launched her campaign in Mosman on Monday in a bid to take the seat of Warringah from former prime minister Tony Abbott.
In front of supporters, she outlined her policies and used the opportunity to discuss Australia Day and what January 26 means for Indigenous people.
“Each Australia Day is like pressing on a bruise for Indigenous people – and the bruise gets darker,” she said.
Woolwonga and Gurindji woman Susan Moylan-Coombs has announced she will run for the federal seat of Warringah. Source: University of Sydney
“I hear both sides of politics and their banding around different dates – one date that has been proposed before is the first of January, which is our Federation Day."
Ms Moylan-Coombs said she thought changing the date would take away the “meaning and divisiveness of January 26”, making it a more inclusive day for all Australians.
An Indigenous woman who has lived in the area more than half a century, Ms Moylan-Coombs said she is more “in-touch with the people of the electorate” than Mr Abbott.
“I know what’s going on, I know the issues – I want us to be future focused and I want us to be happy living in modern Australia,” she said.
Tony Abbott is facing increasing opposition from independents in his electorate. Source: AAP
Veteran Journalist and filmmaker Jeff McMullen was present at her launch and said it was time for a fresh face to represent the people of the Warringah electorate.
“You have to understand the context of our times to see how important her campaign is,” Mr McMullen said.
“Isn’t it the perfect time to have a candidate and a representative that comes up from grassroots."
Ms Moylan-Coombs is a broadcaster, mental health educator and the founding director of Indigenous organisation the Gaimaragal Group.
Journalist and filmmaker, Jeff McMullen AM. Source: NITV News
She is also the granddaughter of high profile public servant and prime ministerial advisor H.C. Coombs, and the daughter of former NSW Bar Association president John Coombs.
- additional reporting Riley Morgan
