The following is a transcript of Tony Armstrong’s comments on ABC News Breakfast.
The allegations themselves are very, very concerning. There’s going to be a lot more to play out with these in the next whoever knows how long.
But I just want to send my love to all First Nations people who are out there reading this and anyone who is affected by this, but especially First Nations people because it has been a tough little period.
I think if we put this into a bigger context, we’ve had basically 10 days of wall-to-wall coverage of the queen. I know the queen means so much to so many people. To First Nations people she was, I guess, the ultimate symbol of colonisation, and we all know what came with colonisation to First Nations people.
Earlier on this week, I think we had the banning of spit hoods. They were disproportionately used on First Nations people.
We are currently seeing what is happening in the Kumanjayi Walker case and some text messages that have been sent to and from different people who serve in the police. We’ve had 517 deaths in custody since the royal commission to date.
Now these allegations, I mean, contextually, on top of all of that, it is not easy being out here. I’m very, very sad to read these allegations, and I guess most importantly my thoughts are with the families who are allegedly affected. Just spare a thought for those people today.
Watch it in full here:
So elegantly put. Factual and explicit, supported with compassion.
What an incredibly moving and gracious way to respond to such a tragic litany. Tony Armstrong really is an extraordinary young person. Coming just a few days after this piece from Stan Grant which left me speechless and in tears – After Queen Elizabeth II’s death, Indigenous Australia can’t be expected to shut up. Our sorry business is without end
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-09-18/queen-death-indigenous-australia-colonisation-empire/101445508
Tony Armstrong is a good journo and a good person. I expect he will get to the word “humbug”. When he does we should listen carefully. He may also be experiencing it himself.
This has become nothing but trolling.
Tony Armstrong and Stan Grant, two extraordinary insightful Australians.
Go easy on that KoolAid.
The manner in which the allegations have been denied….. everyone needs to cool their jets because nothing has been proven – yet.