The members and staff of the Central Land Council are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Northern Land Council chair Dr Bush-Blanasi.
The CLC has lowered its flag to half-mast out of respect for the 2003 NT Australian of the Year.
“Our younger members can barely remember a time when Dr Bush-Blanasi did not provide strong leadership to the Northern Land Council, either as chair or deputy chair,” Central Land Council deputy chair Warren Williams said.
“It is truly heartbreaking to lose yet another respected and outstanding Territory leader well before his time.
“Dr Bush-Blanasi was a steadfast and outspoken ally over many years.” Mr Williams said.
“He connected with people from all walks of life and cut through with decision makers on all sides of politics.”
“From the 2018 Barunga Agreement about a treaty with the NT government to the campaign to bring the Aboriginals Benefit Account under the control of Aboriginal Territorians and this year’s voice referendum, you could always count on him to fight on the right side of history.”
“He stood with the other NT land council chairs as they delivered the Barunga Voice Declaration to the Australian people at Parliament House in Canberra in July,” he said.
“Our thoughts are with Dr Bush-Blanasi’s family, friends and colleagues, especially those at the NLC. We know how they feel, having lost our own chair unexpectedly this time last year.”
“In a year of losses this is a loss that reminds us that we all must do so much more close the life expectancy gap between our people and other Australians.”
Contact: Elke Wiesmann | 0417 877 579| media@clc.org.au
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