US Vice President encourages Australia to do more for Indigenous people

The Vice President of the United States, Joe Biden, says opportunities for Indigenous people should be expanded.

United States Vice President Joe Biden, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull

US Vice President Joe Biden with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. Source: AAP

US Vice President Joe Biden has encouraged Australia to do more to include Indigenous people.

Mr Biden made the comments to a forum on Wednesday while in Sydney, punctuating his four-day trip of Australia.
Our nations look for ways to expand opportunities and the inclusion when it comes to the original inhabitants of our lands.
The American Democratic Party member played a strong role in encouraging the inclusion of original inhabitants of the land, as well as pushed to see them have far greater opportunities in life.  

"Both our nations continue to look for ways to expand opportunities and the inclusion when it comes to the original inhabitants of our lands," Mr Biden said.

He continued by saying "we not only share the same values - we understand that talk is cheap."

In another speech during his visit, the Vice President also said while both Australia and the United States had been strengthened by generations of courageous immigrants, both still grapple with racism and exclusion that leaves many citizens behind. However, he led on to say that both countries were seeking change.

Mr Biden reminds us that Australia, just like America, has a responsibility to stand against the gathering forces of racism.

This isn’t the first time that Mr Biden has voiced his opinion on topical matters. He has previously challenged members of congress in his own country, to show courage on controversial issues, such as gun control measures after mass shootings in the United States.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says the two nations share a passion for 'freedom, the rule of law, democracy and the right of every person to be able to aspire to realise their dreams'.

Mr Biden arrived in Sydney on Monday for a three-day stay after visiting Melbourne.

His first official Sydney engagement was with business leaders at the Opera House.

Mr Biden also met Opposition Leader Bill Shorten, toured a $1.5 billion Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) Navy warship, and dined with the Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove.


 

 


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2 min read
Published 20 July 2016 4:14pm
Updated 20 July 2016 4:26pm
By NITV Staff Writer
Source: NITV News, AAP


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