Doubts over treaty talks
Mansell sceptical of ‘white budget’
TALKS of a treaty between Tasmania’s Aboriginal community and the state government are in doubt, with Thursday’s budget announcement not providing enough funds to make it happen, according to the Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania.
Chairman Michael Mansell said he was sceptical.
“Both Victoria and the Tasmanian governments have started a process towards a treaty,” Mr Mansell said.
“Victoria allocated $68m in the process, but there’s not a dollar in the Tasmanian budget, which raises doubts about the likelihood of a treaty.
“The government should have set aside $10m for progress on the treaty.”
Premier Peter Gutwein said a process was under way.
“Professor Kate Warner and Professor Tim McCormack currently engage with Tasmanian Aboriginal people to understand from them their views on both truth-telling and what a pathway to a treaty might look like, but also on the next steps to what reconciliation could be,” Mr Gutwein said.
Mr Mansell said outside of the treaty, there wasn’t enough funding in the budget for the Tasmanian Aboriginal community.
“Out of seven and a quarter billion dollars, only $270,000 is spent directly on Aboriginal people,” he said.
“Could you describe the budget as fair or as a white budget?
“The budget allocates $10.2m to the World Wilderness Heritage Area, established because of its Aboriginal heritage values, but Aboriginal people get nothing.”
There was talk of a review of the Aboriginal Heritage Act in the budget, but Mr Mansell said the funding didn’t consider the needs of the Aboriginal community.
“They committed to a review, but if they’ve allocated resources, it’s to the department,” Mr Mansell said.
“So the Aboriginal community has to hold meetings around the state on the sniff of an oily rag, but funding is allocated to the department to talk to who they want.”
The Premier said funding was included in the budget to assist Tasmania’s Aboriginal community.
“In the budget is significant funding for the closing the gap initiative for Tasmania’s part in the national plan,” Mr Gutwein said.
OUT OF SEVEN AND A QUARTER BILLION DOLLARS, ONLY $270,000 IS SPENT DIRECTLY ON ABORIGINAL PEOPLE. COULD YOU DESCRIBE THE BUDGET AS FAIR OR AS A WHITE BUDGET? MICHAEL MANSELL