An Indigenous musician was left in ‘tears and anger’ after claiming two taxi drivers refused her ride because of the color of her skin.
Award-winning Gumbaynggirr and Yamatji artist Emma Donovan flew to Perth on Friday evening after launching her new CD in Melbourne.
But Ms Donovan, 43, said she was refused a ride by two drivers despite being at the front of the queue.
The singer claimed their refusal was motivated by racism, with one of the drivers saying he didn’t like ‘her kind’.
“I am absolutely furious writing this in tears and anger,” Ms. Donovan wrote on Facebook.
Emma Donovan (pictured), an award-winning Gumbaynggirr and Yamatji artist, flew to Perth on Friday evening after launching her new CD in Melbourne
But Ms Donovan, 43, said two drivers refused her a ride despite her being at the front of the queue (Picture: One of the alleged drivers)
“I will report these guys one way or another. The entire taxi line was arguing about who would take me, and no one wanted to.
‘A friendly fulla (sic) offered me a lift in his car and took me to Vic Park.
“I know this wasn’t because of a short drive; I know this was racism at its finest.”
The singer-songwriter took photos of the two taxi drivers’ license plates and shared them with her 21,000 followers.
Many urged her to report the license plates to the transportation department, which oversees the state’s taxi industry.
“What happened to you is completely unacceptable (obviously!) but also against regulations,” one person wrote.
“The company and the drivers will be punished. Or should be.’
Her post was flooded with hundreds of comments of support and solidarity, with one person saying his heart was hurt by reading this.
“What a shame this country is,” they added.
“Laura Tingle’s words ring true every day: ‘Australia is a racist country’, there is no doubt about it.
“I can’t even imagine how humiliating this must have been for you. I can only apologize on their behalf and express my absolute solidarity with you and all the indigenous peoples of this stolen occupied land.”
A spokesperson for Perth Airport said they were not aware of the incident but encouraged the musician to report it (pictured, the second alleged taxi)
The singer-songwriter took photos of the two taxi drivers’ license plates and shared them with her 21,000 Facebook followers
A spokesperson for Perth Airport said this The Western Australia they were unaware of the incident but encouraged the musician to report it.
“There is no place for racism in our society,” he said.
“The taxi industry is regulated by the state government. We urge Ms. Donovan to file a report with the Department of Transportation, and we are happy to assist her in filing the complaint.
“Perth Airport will verify whether there is any CCTV footage of the incident and will provide it to the department to assist in any investigation into the allegations.
“Perth Airport will also remind all taxi operators that we expect all passengers to be treated with courtesy and dignity.”
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Perth Airport and the Australian Taxi Industry Association for comment.
Ms. Donovan is a globally renowned artist whose genre transcends country, soul and R&B.
She started performing at the age of seven with her well-known family band The Donovans, founded by her maternal grandparents Micko and Aileen.
Along with her mother, Agnes, and her five uncles, Mrs. Donovan sang renditions of church songs at events across the country.
The ARIA nominated artist has been touring Australia and the world for over twenty years, alongside Australian icons such as Paul Kelly, The Teskey Brothers and Paul Grabowsky.
Ms Donovan, who is best known for her work with Melbourne rhythm combo The Putbacks and the Black Arm Band project, performed at the opening of the 2004 Olympic torch relay.