Midnight Oil lead singer and social commentator Peter Garrett will discuss Australia's identity and relations between whites and Aborigines at a free University of Queensland public lecture on Thursday, August 21.
His lecture White Skin, Black Heart: quest for the Australian identity would include intensive scrutiny of the Queensland and Federal Government's record of race relations, Mr Garrett said.
Mr Garrett will deliver the 18th annual Archbishop Sir James Duhig Memorial Lecture at 8.30pm, Mayne Hall, St Lucia campus.
Mr Garrett said the lecture would canvass contemporary issues concerning the Federal Government's 10-point Wik Plan, and defend native title.
'It's hard not to talk about these issues in the current political climate,' he said.
Midnight Oil is associated with the recently-formed Australians For Native Title organisation whose supporters include Democrats leader Cheryl Kernot and member of the National Working Group on Native Title Noel Pearson.
'The key point is to defend native title, not to propose legislative or other alternatives,' Mr Garrett said.
'However, workable alternatives include negotiated agreements mandated through State and Federal Governments, Aborigines and pastoralists.'
Mr Garrett is renowned for his active support of a range of issues including homelessness, indigenous people's rights, the environment and disarmament.
St Leo's College Student Club and the University of Queensland Union organised the event which honours the late Archbishop Duhig, a founder of St Leo's, who was closely associated with the University for a number of years.
Light refreshments will be served after the lecture.
For more information, contact Mr Michael Thomson, St Leo's College (telephone 07 3878 0600).
