"I think our work unfortunately with the present government in relation to that, particularly the voice is over and done with. We can only hope that a future government might revisit that"- Dr Jackie Huggins on a national treaty framework.
Co-chair Dr Jackie Huggins joins Kirstyn Lindsay on NITV Radio to talk on how National Congress of Australia's First People will continue their support on the move towards treaty negotiations.
This week opposition Leader Bill Shorten told Sky News that a Labor Government under his leadership if elected will establish a treaty with Australia's First people and a voice to parliament.
"Now what we would do if we got elected is start the process towards establishing, legislating, a voice. And part of that would be a Makarrata Commission, a truth-telling commission, and part of it would be then asking this voice to process for a treaty. It could be one treaty or a series of agreements, a series of treaties. I mean, many other countries in the rest of the world have done it. Victoria, WA, the Northern Territory have started that journey. So I think it's important that the Commonwealth shows leadership."
National Congress says any negotiations must include a truth and justice commission tendered with the Statement From The Heart and the Referendum Council's findings.
"I think our work unfortunately with the present government in relation to that, particularly the voice is over and done with. We can only hope that a future government might revisit that. Obviously if Labor gets in then they will come good on their promises."
Congress also welcomes the discussions made at Burunga Festival with the NT government, signing a memorandum of understanding with Aboriginal Land Councils to pledge to work towards treaty.
On the voice to parliament the Federal Minister for Indigenous Affairs Nigel Scullion this week told Sky News "Minister of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs in Australia, right? The office placard. That's what you want. You don't want a voice to parliament. You don't want a third chamber. I'm not telling people what they want, but, in the practical sense, that's what you need ... that's what you need. Can you run that by committee? I don't know. But what I do know, all those things, voice to parliament, it is nothing next to the decision-making, the policy-making, that comes with my office."
Dr Huggins believes the current government have made it clear that any request for a national treaty framework and a voice to parliament will not happen under their leadership.
She says, "I think our work unfortunately with the present government in relation to that, particularly the voice is over and done with. We can only hope that a future government might revisit that."
"Obviously if Labor gets in then they will come good on their promises."
