At Family First, we understand the profound importance of learning from history to guide our future.

As the British philosopher Edmund Burke eloquently stated, "In history, a great volume is unrolled for our instruction, drawing the materials of future wisdom from the past errors and infirmities of mankind."

In an essay for The Australian as part of its 60th anniversary, Jacinta Nampijinpa Price  invokes this wisdom as she argues for a radically different approach to indigenous affairs.

She offers a candid and insightful perspective on Indigenous policies and history.

Family First wholeheartedly endorses Price's vision for Indigenous Australians, which advocates for an honest, balanced view of history.

Price's approach counters the "black armband" narrative that has long overshadowed the true complexity and nuance of Australia's past.

As Price articulates, "Our Australian story is not perfect. There are shameful chapters. But the arc of our history has been overwhelmingly positive."

One of the most compelling aspects of Price's argument is her critique of the romanticized versions of Indigenous history, such as those propagated by Bruce Pascoe's "Dark Emu."

Price emphasizes the need for a realistic portrayal of pre-British settlement life, acknowledging that it was not a "subsistent paradise" but rather a time marked by significant conflict and harsh practices.

This honest recounting is crucial, as Price notes, "The hard fact is that once modernity emerged across the globe, the hunter-gatherer life was not going to last long."

Price doubles down on her comments made during last year’s Voice debate where she recognised the benefits that British colonisation brought to Australia, despite the undeniable crimes and injustices that occurred.

The introduction of democracy, freedom, and prosperity are foundational elements of modern Australia, which Price argues would not have been possible without British settlement.

She states, "Colonisation happened and was always going to happen. It brought things like democracy, freedom and prosperity that were not known to Indigenous people."

She notes things would have been much worse for Indigenous people if one of the other European colonising powers beat the British.

A powerful example of British justice in Australia's history is the prosecution and execution of white men for the murder of Indigenous Australians during the infamous Myall Creek massacre.

Price highlights this to illustrate the often-overlooked aspects of our history that demonstrate a commitment to justice and the rule of law.

"The attorney-general, John Plunkett, prosecuted the perpetrators and then – when they were acquitted on a technicality – he prosecuted them again. Seven white men were thus found guilty and hanged," she recounts.

This underscores Australia's unique ability to self-reflect and correct its errors, a trait rooted in its British heritage.

Price highlights the importance of personal responsibility, work, and education in overcoming Indigenous disadvantage.

She criticizes the "racism of low expectations," where Indigenous people are often not held to the same standards as others.

Price shares a poignant anecdote: "Not so long ago, I was informed by a former social worker in the Northern Territory that upon arrival to her first remote Aboriginal community she was expressly told that, regarding any views she had of the potential of Aboriginal people in the context of wider Australia, she needed now to lower her standards."

Additionally, Price advocates for Indigenous people to take on the work currently done by fly-in-fly-out workers, arguing that local employment will foster self-reliance and economic growth within Indigenous communities.

She asserts, "Before Whitlam came with the sit-down money, Indigenous Australians worked as jackeroos for the cattleman in their backyard. There should be no fly-in, fly-out workers in communities with Indigenous Australians on welfare."

Price's vision for the future rejects the separatist policies that have kept Indigenous Australians in a state of dependency and disadvantage.

Instead, she advocates for an "advancement movement" where all Australians, regardless of their background, are held to the same standards and given the same opportunities. This approach, according to Price, will lead to true reconciliation and integration, fostering a national tapestry enriched by a thriving Indigenous culture.

At Family First, we echo Price's sentiments that progress comes from "understanding our history in its entirety."

We must not allow guilt politics to overshadow the remarkable achievements we have made together as a nation.

By embracing a unified approach, we can ensure a prosperous future for all Australians. As Price powerfully concludes, "No meaningful change comes from selling ourselves short through guilt politics. It comes from understanding our history in its entirety."

In supporting Jacinta Price's vision, Family First commits to policies that foster unity, respect, work, school attendance and personal responsibility ensuring that our nation's history becomes a foundation for a brighter, more inclusive future.