'New path': Anthony Albanese to speak at first Garma Festival since Voice vote

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will urge Indigenous Australians to help forge a “new path” and reflect on the pain of the failed voice referendum when he speaks at the Garma Festival.

“Together, we gave our all. And we fell short,” he will say of the defeat in the 2023 vote to enshrine an Indigenous voice to parliament in Australia’s constitution.

“I understand, particularly for those who had dedicated years of their life to this cause, the pain is still raw.”

At Australia’s largest Indigenous gathering, Mr Albanese is expected to announce a First Nations Economic Partnership with the Coalition of Peaks, focusing on economic empowerment for Indigenous people.

“We are living with what’s been tried before,” he will say on Saturday.

“We know where the old models take us, we know where the old road leads.

“We have to make a new path — and walk it together.”

The prime minister will also announce $20 million to build the Garma Institute, a tertiary education centre owned and run by Yolngu people.

Mr Albanese arrived at the ceremonial site in northeast Arnhem Land on Friday, joining the newly sworn-in Indigenous Australians Minister Malarndirri McCarthy, who said the federal government remained committed to the three elements of the Uluru Statement of the Heart.

Senator McCarthy said it was important to persevere with the work set out in the statement, which asks for voice, treaty and truth-telling.

“Even though we lost the referendum, we still remain committed to the three elements,” she said while speaking on a panel.

Although a timeline for a truth-telling or treaty process has not been revealed, Senator McCarthy told the crowd gathered at Gulkula, a Yolngu cultural site, unless there was respectful dialogue with First Nations people, there would be no change.

“We have to have this discussion and dialogue in a respectful way and I’ll continue to push for that,” she said.

“We are here on beautiful Yolngu Country at Gulkula to listen deeply as the government but also to take it forward in terms of progress for First Nations people across this country.”

Yothu Yindi Foundation chief executive Denise Bowden said the discussion must be backed by action, fearing the statements and petitions of First Nations people are not being heard by those in power.

“I don’t mind how we get to the solution, we’ve got to find improvements and not just talk about it,” she said.

“Call it what you may — makarrata (truth-telling), treaty, closing the gap — it’s all about making improvements for better lives and for the next generation.”