On Australia Day we come together and celebrate what is great about Australia and being Australian.
It is a time to reflect on what we have achieved as a great nation and re-commit to making Australia, and our state of Tasmania an even better place.
This Australia Day we are looking to reset our relationship with Tasmanian Aboriginal people.
The recently released draft management plan for the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area provides a once in a generation opportunity to reset our relationship with Tasmanian Aboriginals.
We are determined to ensure that the Tasmanian Aboriginal community is fully engaged in the process to bring about increased recognition of the cultural heritage of the area.
We also want a greater emphasis on cooperation with Tasmanian Aboriginal people in the management of the area in order to properly recognise, preserve and celebrate its global significance.
This discussion with the Tasmanian Aboriginal people will also include not just how to make the most of Aboriginal tourism opportunities, but also the possibility of increased management responsibility.
I am also personally committed to reopening discussions about land hand-backs.
As a longstanding supporter of amending the Commonwealth Constitution to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first peoples of this land, we are also considering a similar amendment to Tasmania's Constitution Act.
I look forward to engaging with the Tasmanian Aboriginal people on these opportunities.