Mr
Mundine was reported to have announced his candidature for the
inner-western Sydney seat of Marrickville in an address to Redfern’s
Aboriginal community last night.
Today he said he had never made a definite statement about his intention.
Mr Mundine has previously said he was considering standing as an
independent as part of a bid to stop redevelopment of The Block housing
area in Redfern, which would become part of the Marrickville electorate
under boundary changes for the election.
“At no stage did I confirm I would be taking part in next year’s election,” Mr Mundine said today.
“I said I would consider whatever strategy is needed to fight for
The Block, and the changes to planning laws by (Minister for
Redfern-Waterloo Frank) Sartor.
“If that means standing for the seat, then that’s what I’ll do.
“I’ll stand at some stage in the future, but whether it’s next
year’s election, I don’t know. I still haven’t ruled it in or out.”
Sydney’s Aboriginal community held a rally in Redfern rally last
night to protest against proposed changes to planning controls by Mr
Sartor and the Redfern Waterloo Authority (RWA).
The Aboriginal Housing Company (AHC), which owns The Block, fears
the move is a precursor to the government’s aim to take control of the
area away from Aboriginal people and limit the number of Aboriginal
homes that can be built on the land.
Aboriginals say the changes would halve the amount of housing allowed on The Block.
Mr Mundine, who is Aboriginal and nicknamed The Man, told last night’s rally that Mr Sartor was a “racist bigot”.
“Obviously there’s a lot of racism and a lot of despicable acts
going on within the government, especially with Frank Sartor,” Mr
Mundine told hundreds of supporters.
“I’m not afraid to say it, I feel he’s a racist bigot.”
He said the Aboriginal people were still fighting the land struggle.
“We purchased this land and now they want to try and come into our
home and our place and say what we can and cannot do with it and kick
us out,” Mr Mundine said to a cheering crowd.
The NSW government said today that plans to redevelop The Block have been devised through extensive community consultation.
Mr Sartor today released a statement advising that the government is
finalising a draft Building Environment Plan for the area, which will
create around 18,000 new jobs for locals, and construct 2,000 new
dwellings.
Community consultation on the plan included the sending of 2,000
copies of the plan to key interest and community groups, and a public
meeting at Redfern Town Hall in March, Mr Sartor said.
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,20092019-953,00.html