The Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service supports Treaty.
On Tuesday as the Statewide Treaty Bill was debated in Parliament, the Liberal party announced not only that they would repeal it within the first 100 days if elected next November but that their proposed model would instead establish a new advisory body, that would sit within a rebadged First Peoples -State Relations, guiding the work of that department. This is tinkering with an outdated, ineffective approach and VALS condemns the oppositions insulting, ill-informed announcement.
It is very clear that the Liberal party has not consulted with any First Nations leaders or Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs). How our voices are heard must not be dictated by a political party.
The opposition has failed to articulate how exactly this new department differs from previous government agencies responsible for coordinating the government’s policy work with Aboriginal peoples, or how it will function in practice to deliver improved outcomes. If we needed more of the same, then we would be well on track to meet our Closing the Gap targets.
Self-determination will be realised through Treaty; our voices will be heard because of the establishment of Gellung Warl. This builds on the legacy of our Ancestors, Elders and leaders who have fought for our rights to be heard and upheld since colonisation. Our message is clear; Treaty is the only path forward.
Treaty is something our people have been advocating for since invasion. This long-awaited recognition of the need to renegotiate our relationship with the state is not something to be fearful of, it is something to be celebrated. It is not something that will divide Victorians but rather bring us together.
As an ACCO, VALS represents the Aboriginal communities we support across Victoria. We have heard our communities clearly over many decades. Treaty.
The Victorian public should not be hoodwinked by the Liberal government, they do not speak for us, they do not have the solutions. They should be ashamed.
Quotes Attributable to Nerita Waight, CEO of the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service:
“It was incredibly insulting as I sat in Parliament to hear the Liberal government’s plan to repeal the Treaty legislation and instead establish an advisory body. This is not what Aboriginal people want, they have not consulted with us. This unwanted intervention from the opposition, which essentially proposes to deny the right of Aboriginal peoples to decide for ourselves how to organise politically, shows exactly why Treaty is needed.”
“We have tried on numerous occasions to meet with the Opposition leader, to establish a strong working relationship based on mutual respect, but clearly, they have no interest in hearing from Aboriginal people about what works best for our people. I will not be spoken for anymore.”
Quotes Attributable to Associate Professor Crystal McKinnon, Chairperson of the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service:
“The calls for Treaty have echoed for generations; the Oppositions complete disregard for this is disrespectful, misjudged and offensive. It is a stark reminder that the colonial project continues. Their proposal is a step backwards, it is nothing new, nothing that will change the trajectory of our lives, and the lives of generations to come. Treaty is future focused; we invite the opposition to join us in this journey.”
“Treaty provides an opportunity to make progress on matters affecting communities on the ground and provides the pathway to ensure self-determination for our peoples. It also provides a mechanism for accountability, so we can address the systemic issues of over-policing, racial discrimination, Aboriginal deaths in custody and the shamefully high rate of Aboriginal children being removed from their families. The status quo is not working, we need to be transformative, and aspirational so that we don’t continue to repeat the mistakes of the past. Let us learn from our ancestors, from our generational activists, from our community leaders and Elders, and from the Yoorrook Justice Commission – together, we can create a self-determined future, where First Peoples can thrive.”