Footage of One Nation's leading candidate in the upcoming South Australian election mocking the Kaurna language in videos posted to social media has been criticised as divisive and harmful to the community, the state's Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People says.
Cory Bernardi, a former South Australian senator from 2017 to 2020, was recruited by Pauline Hanson this year as a high-profile One Nation candidate in the state election.
The conservative politician posted two videos to Facebook highlighting the use of traditional Indigenous names for landmarks and places in South Australia and argues — without evidence — that the use of Aboriginal names is "trying to erase our history".
South Australia's Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People, Dale Agius, did not name Mr Bernardi but took to Facebook to argue the footage posted online by an "aspiring South Australian political figure mocking and demeaning Aboriginal languages and place names across Adelaide is deeply disappointing".
"Comments about culture, language and Country should never be up for ridicule; it should be something we all learn and celebrate together," he said.
Mr Agius, a Kaurna man, said intentionally mocking or belittling Aboriginal culture is "harmful", and argued it creates "division in the broader community, and cause hurt to our communities".
"For Aboriginal children, young people and communities, language is not something to mock. Language is identity. It carries our history, our knowledge and our deep connection to this Country," he said.
In a video posted on Saturday, Mr Bernardi stands outside the Women's and Children's Hospital and gestures to a sign reading Ngangkiku Ngartuku Kukuwardli — Kaurna for "a place of health that cares for women during pregnancy and birthing, babies, children and young people".
After mispronouncing the name, the former senator asks, "Why are we doing this to ourselves? No one knows where the Googa Waggly centre is. They just know where the women's and children's hospital needs to be."
In another video filmed outside Adelaide University, he asks: "Why are we putting names or banners or flags on our university campuses that don't mean anything to anyone?"
Kaurna Elder Lynette Crocker told Guardian Australia: "If you go to Italy, you're expected to know some Italian, and that's just the same respect that Aboriginal people are wanting to have, the same as everybody else. It's just about respect for one another as human beings and how we communicate with one another."
The Liberals, who are facing a wipeout at this month's election, have said they will preference One Nation over Labor. Some polls have indicated One Nation could become the state's de facto opposition, with Mr Bernardi virtually assured of a seat in the Legislative Council.
Mr Agius said South Australia has taken "important steps in recognising the value of Aboriginal languages in education, community programs and cultural initiatives". These include dual naming policies developed through partnerships between Kaurna Elders and successive state governments since the early 2000s.
"Dual naming of traditional place names support reconciliation, help preserve Aboriginal languages, and assist all Australians to be included in the history of the land we share," he said.
"There are many Aboriginal languages across South Australia that continue to be spoken, taught and revitalised, including Kaurna, Ngarrindjeri, Pitjantjatjara, Yankunytjatjara, Narungga, Adnyamathanha and many others. These languages are part of the cultural fabric of our state and play an important role in recognition, understanding and equality."
