Indigenous treaty is ‘unfinished business’

Tess Ikonomou and Callum Godde | October 14, 2022

Indigenous Australians would be able to speak truth to power and strike a deal with governments sooner under a pre-budget push to fast-track elements of the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

The Greens want the government to set aside $160 million to deal with the “unfinished business” of treaty and truth-telling with Indigenous Australians.

They have called for $128 million over four years for a truth and justice commission, which would have the powers of a royal commission to investigate historic injustices. 

A further $32 million for that same period would be allocated for a consultation process on treaty. 

Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe wants to see action on progressing treaty and truth in addition to the Indigenous voice.

“It’s what our elders have marched for, it’s been on banners at protests and it’s still unfinished business for me,” she said.

“It is time to get on with the work of truth and treaty to show that it’s genuinely committed to progressing more than just voice – the government needs to put its money where its mouth is in this budget.”

The Albanese government has promised to hold a referendum to constitutionally enshrine the Indigenous voice in its first term.

Greens Leader Adam Bandt denied his party’s strong push for action on treaty and truth could cause confusion among voters and detract from the voice.

“We want to see progress in this parliament on voice and on truth and treaty as well,” he told reporters in Melbourne.

“They’re all essential elements of the very important statement from the heart. We can do this all at once.”

In Australia for talks with Victorian and Queensland officials on their treaty pursuits, New Zealand Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Andrew Little said Australia’s political leaders shouldered a huge responsibility. 

“It’s clear to me that some state governments and the federal government accept there is an issue that they have to address,” he told AAP.

“But they’re going to have to work with the whole of the Australian population on how that is addressed.”

First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria co-chair Marcus Stewart welcomed the federal push.

He said it mimicked his state’s path to truth and treaty.

“Imitation is the best form of flattery, isn’t it?” he said.

“They’ve completely copied what we’ve done, which is amazing.”