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Witness History: The first Aboriginal MP

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The first Aboriginal MP

29/05/2024 GMT

BBC World Service - Witness History, The first Aboriginal MP

In August 1971, the first Aboriginal MP took his place in the Australian Senate.

The story of Australia's first Aboriginal MP and how he fought for indigenous rights.

A warning for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander listeners - this programme contains the names and voices of people who have died.

In 1971, Neville Bonner became the first Aboriginal person to become a member of the Australian Parliament.

In 1979, he was named Australian of the Year in recognition of his work fighting for the rights of indigenous Australians - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

His great niece Joanna Lindgren shares her memories of 'Uncle Neville' with Vicky Farncombe.

"He was gentle, he was a terrific listener. It didn't matter that you were 13 years old, you never felt that he was not interested in what you had to say," she says.

(Photo: Old Parliament House, in Canberra. Credit: Getty Images)

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