NATIONALS leader Peter Walsh believes the Victorian Opposition has “finally” caught the attention of “those that need it” after announcing it had dropped its support for a treaty with First Nations People.
Mr Walsh, who made the initial comments on Sky News on Sunday, said the Coalition’s decision to drop its support was not something they did lightly, citing long term concerns around the Cultural Heritage and Traditional Owner Settlement acts.
“As the shadow minister (for Aboriginal affairs), I constantly have people contacting me with concerns around how the cultural heritage process is not working, and also issues with the Traditional Owners Settlement Act… and the issues with how both those acts are not working in Victoria’s best interest,” Mr Walsh told The Guardian.
“We couldn’t get any positive agreement to change, so we felt we could not support further discussion on treaty, because those issues were just not being addressed.
“It’s certainly got those who need its attention, finally – whether they do something is up to them.”
Opposition Leader John Pesutto announced on Monday that the Coalition was withdrawing its support for a treaty with the state’s Indigenous people, ending years of bipartisanship on the issue.
In regards to cultural heritage laws, Mr Walsh used the example of Sea Lake farmer Murray Allan, whose plans for a tourist park on the edge of Lake Tyrell were brought to a standstill because the local Registered Aboriginal Party believed the cultural heritage of the site was under threat.
“There is legislated power for Aboriginal parties to do these studies, but there is nothing in the Act that puts accountability on them to deliver in a timely way, or a realistic price, there is no fee schedule as to what can be charged, and there is no appeal mechanism,’ Mr Walsh said.
Co-chair of the First Peoples Assembly of Victoria, Gunditjmara man Rueben Berg, said while they were disappointed, the Assembly was not overly concerned by Mr Walsh’s announcement, although would have liked to see the Opposition continue to be part of the discussion.
“We also have issues with current laws like the cultural heritage ones, and treaty provides a process for talking about how such policies can be improved, so it’s strange that the Nationals are walking away from that conversation,” Mr Berg said.
“Treaty is about making sure Aboriginal communities have the tools needed to implement practical solutions at a local level.
“You see, when it comes to Aboriginal communities, cultures and land, the experts are Aboriginal people – the more this fact is respected and embraced, the more our communities will thrive.”
In a statement, First Peoples Assembly said the announcement didn’t meant “not much, really”.
“Of course, we would have liked to have kept Treaty above party politics and our door will remain open to politicians of all persuasions, but there is a clear path to Treaty ahead of us,” it said.
“When Aboriginal communities are thriving and we’re strong and proud in our cultures and languages, everyone benefits.”
When asked if the Opposition will renew their support should some of these issues be resolved, Mr Walsh was sceptical.
“Although we supported the discussions being had, we had always been mindful of what actually may or may not be in a treaty, and I think Victorians are concerned they have no idea what the governments or the First Peoples Assembly agenda is when it comes to treaty – that the government has been totally silent on what may or may not be in a treaty,” he said.
“The Voice referendum was a wake-up call for everyone that the majority of Australians want everyone to be Australians, we don’t want division in our society.”
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said Mr Pesutto needs to give an explanation to Victorians.
“Have courage of your own convictions for goodness sake, and talk to the Victorian community about why you have made this decision,” she told reporters on Monday.
“Not cloak it in this secrecy, clearly, that we’ve seen for months and months to only find out now in the last week of January.”
