Aboriginal focus firm

Greens want Libs to do more

BUILDING relations with the state’s Aboriginal community remains a key government priority, Premier Peter Gutwein says, although the Greens have questioned the Liberals’ record since taking power.

Mr Gutwein addressed the Reconciliation Collective Forum in Hobart on Monday, saying his government was serious about working with the community.

“We remain committed to resetting our relationship with the Tasmanian Aboriginal community, through recognition, through advancing reconciliation and importantly working together to achieve real outcomes,” he said.

“Aboriginal people are now recognised as Tasmania’s first people in the Tasmanian Constitution Act and we’ve updated the Aboriginal dual naming policy, and we’ve strengthened the Aboriginal Heritage Act.

“We are reviewing the model of returning land with the intent of returning more land to Aboriginal communities are part of our journey to reconciliation. And importantly, we are working hard to address generations of silence on the subject of Tasmania’s Aboriginal history and culture by bringing Tasmanian Aboriginal voices into our schools.”

Mr Gutwein said the government wanted to build “respectful, trusting and mutually- beneficial relationships” based on understanding and acknowledgment of the history of the Tasmanian Aboriginal people.

But Greens leader Cassy O’Connor said that if the Premier was serious, there was plenty he could do — starting with taking over the Aboriginal Affairs portfolio.

“His first order of business should be to abandon the disrespectful and destructive push to open up tracks through priceless Aboriginal heritage in the takayna/ Tarkine,” Ms O’Connor said.

“This push has been stalled in the courts at massive public expense. It really is time for the Liberals to walk away from this push.

“As Minister Aboriginal Affairs and Human Services, Roger Jaensch is overseeing the banishment of Aboriginal children to the Northern Territory — 57.8 per cent of Aboriginal children in out of home care are not placed with kin or another Aboriginal caregiver, one of the highest rates in Australia.

“After years of inaction under the previous Premier, we’re yet to see land returns progressed under Peter Gutwein.

“Enough lip service, it’s time for meaningful, respectful action.”