The Balibo story – an aspect of Australian identity
The Balibo story soon to be released as a dramatic feature film, delineates an aspect of Australian identity in our regional neighbourhood that most Australians have suppressed or would prefer to forget. If anyone is in any doubt about the lack of morality of successive Australian Governments and their double standards in contributing to East Timor’s devastation and material poverty, the short video Black Bullion just uploaded on Suai Media Space should dispel them. Made in 2003 the film shows Australia’s leaders were still deceiving the Australian public after sending in our soldiers to help stop the killing in 1999.
Black Bullion explains in simple terms with some dark humour, Australia’s role in stealing wealth from it’s nearest and poorest neighbour, while thousands of grassroots Australians and others were working hard to rebuild friendship and trust with East Timorese people after the devastating events of 1999 following the referendum.
Balibo forever linked the community of Port Phillip to the people of East Timor because it is the home to relatives of the two journalists: Shirley Shackleton, Paul Stewart. Shirley’s husband Greg Shackleton and Paul’s brother Tony were two of the journalists killed at Balibo. Shirley became the face of East Timor in some ways in the Australian press as she never allowed her voice to be silenced. Paul made a huge contribution to raising awareness of the young through his involvement in the Dili Allstars whose song Liberdade is known word by word through out Timor.
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