Multiple Indigenous Elders claim they were refused entry to a since-cancelled “pollies in the pub” event in mid-north NSW with Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians Jacinta Nampijinpa Price.
Ms Price was expected to appear at the West Kempsey Hotel alongside Nationals Party MP Pat Conaghan for a “pollies at the pub” event, organised by the Nationals Party, with the intention of discussing issues pertaining the residents of the area.
The details of the event were posted on the West Kempsey pub’s social media and website, inviting the senator and MP to “say hello to the locals” and “have a chat”.
Police were reportedly called to the pub after reports of a protest of approximately 30 people, including members of the Dunghutti community, gathering outside.
In response to questions, officers said they did “not have statement as we’re told a man was asked to leave the hotel by staff, which he did so.
“There was no further police action.”
The protest prompted Ms Nampijinpa Price to drop out last minute due to safety concerns.
Speaking to Ben Fordham on 2GB on Thursday, Ms Nampijinpa Price said the event was cancelled because ”aggressive and angry individuals” were reportedly “suggesting that (Ms Nampijinpa Price) wasn’t allowed to go into the venue”.
“So we chose to cancel that event because, obviously safety, my safety, was of concern and also those that were going to be there,” she told the radio station.
However, several local Aboriginal people who planned to attend the event have since claimed they were denied entry to the venue, despite being residents of the area.
Dunghutti and Gumbaynggirr woman Lynne Holten told News of the Area she was not allowed inside the venue, with organisers explaining it was a “private meeting”.
“It was never advertised as a private meeting, it was advertised as a public meeting,” she said.
Kempsey Shire councillor and Dunghutti woman, Annette Lawrence, said she was “deeply shocked and upset to hear of the racial discrimination” upon arriving at the event.
“There were many community members suddenly upset and confused as to why they were being told to stay outside,” she wrote on social media.
The councillor claimed the community members were “not allowed inside” with “many” stating “they are not letting us in because we are Aboriginal”.
“I could not believe we were experiencing racial and discrimination while allowing others to enter based on their perceived racial identity,” she said, adding two “non-Aboriginal local ladies” were permitted entry, but failed to accommodate the First Nations women.
The councillor also rejected the reports of a “riot” taking place outside the pub.
“This was NOT a riot, it was merely some community members wanting to ask some questions,” she wrote.
Carry Hoskins from the Dunghutti Elders Council said Ms Nampijinpa Price also failed to contact the Indigenous group before her arrival, which was “protocol” for official visits.
“I was very disappointed,” she told NITV.
“And I’ve already spoken to a number of Elders who were disappointed in it as well.”
Dunghutti woman Leetona Dungay, whose son David died in custody at the Long Bay Correctional Centre in 2015, said she was turned away from the event.
She told NITV she planned to ask the senator about issues facing the First Nations community, and accused the event organisers of “racism” by turning locals away.
“I would have asked her why are you there, and how are you going to help us, and what are you going to do?” she asked.
“It’s not right [that we weren’t allowed in] … I think it’s racism.”
NewsWire has contacted Ms Nampijinpa Price and the West Kempsey Hotel for comment.