Mr Speaker,
I want to begin by acknowledging the Tasmanian Aboriginal people, Tasmania’s first people, and pay my respects to elders past, present and emerging.
During the last 20 months we have dealt with the challenges brought on us by a world-wide pandemic, which has unfortunately cost lives and impinged on our freedoms and our liberties.
However, Tasmanians in the main, regardless of race, religion, circumstance or background have reached out their hands to help each other, when needed, in the most extraordinary example of a common humanity I have ever witnessed.
We must hold onto that. We must grow stronger from it.
We must use that strength to move forward together to solve what have been intractable challenges.
During my lifetime Tasmania has changed for the better.
Our State has progressed economically, as well as environmentally and socially, and we have moved a long way from the unflattering views that once we regularly heard - especially from those who had no understanding of the beauty of our State, our strength of character or our true potential.
One matter though that lingers, that is not resolved, is our relationship with our First Nations people, the Tasmanian Aboriginal people.
My Government believes very strongly that we must continue on our pathway to achieve true reconciliation.
At the opening of the 50th Parliament of Tasmania in June this year, Her Excellency the Honourable Barbara Baker AC outlined in her speech that I had requested Professor Kate Warner AC and Professor Tim McCormack facilitate a process to understand directly from Tasmanian Aboriginal people themselves how best to take our next steps towards reconciliation.
They were requested to consult directly with Tasmanian Aboriginal people to gather their views on a proposed way forward towards reconciliation, as well as their views on a Truth Telling process and on what a pathway to Treaty would consist of.
I am tabling the report in full today, and the Government will now consider the recommendations and respond in full in the New Year.
The report’s authors have briefed respected elders and senior Tasmanian Aboriginal people this morning, and I expect that in the near future further briefings will also occur for a range of stakeholders.
The report highlights that there is much also for Tasmanian Aboriginal people to consider and some of the report will not make easy reading.
The report opens a door that we can walk through, if we wish, but to do so we must choose to do that together, as further division, further conflict will not provide a pathway to true reconciliation.
The Tasmanian Aboriginal people have called this place, Lutriwita/Tasmania, home for more than 40,000 years.
As one of the oldest cultures in the world, theirs is a rich history, a story of survival, of conflict and dispossession and one that deserves our respect and acknowledgment.
I believe that by understanding our past, no matter how painful or uncomfortable that might be, is an imperative to shaping our future, and ensuring we can share in the benefits of a truly meaningful, reconciled relationship.
Mr Speaker,
Professors Warner and McCormack began their consultations in NAIDOC week in July, holding more than 100 meetings over four months, with Tasmanian Aboriginal people, Aboriginal community-controlled organisations, and Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal subject matter experts.
The conversations provided Professors Warner and McCormack with the information, which has been compiled into their Pathway to Truth-Telling and Treaty Report.
The report summarises the views and voices of Tasmanian Aboriginal people across a broad range of topics.
It faithfully represents the views of Aboriginal people and provides key insights and learnings, which will enlighten many Tasmanians.
I have specifically chosen not to highlight any particular aspect of the report, or to draw quotes from it for this statement today.
My reason for that is the report needs to be considered in its entirety. It is a carefully considered and thoughtful piece of work by two of our most eminent minds dealing with complex, and what in the past have been largely intractable positions held across our broader community by both non-indigenous Tasmanians and Tasmanian Aboriginals.
To highlight one aspect or issue over another risks creating immediate division and debate on issues that when considered in isolation, can be challenging and confronting.
Professors Warner and McCormack were specifically requested to consider the views of Tasmanian Aboriginal people on Truth Telling and what a pathway to Treaty would be.
I will for completeness outline the major recommendations around those matters the report provides findings on.
Mr Speaker,
One of the key recommendations is to create a Truth-Telling Commission, the make-up of which should include a broad representation of Tasmanian Aboriginal people with majority membership, and it should be chaired by an eminent Tasmanian Aboriginal person or co-chaired by an eminent Tasmanian Aboriginal woman and an eminent Tasmanian Aboriginal man.
The Truth Telling Commission should be a tool for acknowledging, recording and healing.
Professors Warner and McCormack heard strong and consistent advocacy for the need for a Tasmanian Truth-telling process, which focuses on the past, present and future, with the powers of a commission of inquiry.
The Report also recommends that Tasmania commits to beginning a Tasmanian Treaty process.
It recommends that the best way forward is to legislate a broad framework, allowing for both Truth Telling and a Treaty process.
It is recommended that the Truth telling process should also determine the representatives of the Aboriginal people for Treaty negotiations.
It is evident from the Report that the next steps of this journey will be complex, as there are many Tasmanian Aboriginal voices, and not all of those voices align, but importantly, all of these views need to be heard.
Non-indigenous Tasmanians will also have a view on this report and its recommendations, and some will hold strong views.
I acknowledge this will not be an easy journey that we are embarking upon.
However, this is a journey we need to go on together, and I believe it’s a journey Tasmania is ready for.
Importantly, if we do this together we will achieve a uniquely Tasmanian approach to reconciliation.
One that provides the foundations for a more equitable and just future for all Tasmanians, now and into the future.
Every Tasmanian has a part to play in reconciliation and every Tasmanian will benefit from it.
Importantly, we must keep listening to, and be guided by, Tasmanian Aboriginal people.
We must have the courage of our convictions to take meaningful action in order to achieve real change.
I would like to sincerely thank Professors Warner and McCormack for this significant work, and importantly, thank Tasmanian Aboriginal people and all participants for their views.
I encourage members in this Parliament, and all Tasmanians, to read this report, and hear and absorb the voices of Tasmanian Aboriginal people.
Take the time to reflect on those voices, understand the hurt, the abandonment and the sadness, but also the strength of character, connection to country and the pride that shines through in those voices, which have for so long, fought for something better; for acknowledgement and for respect.
Take time also to reflect on what we have learnt in the last 20 months about each other, and how with kindness, respect and commitment to our shared humanity we have been able to work together to achieve the outcomes we have as Tasmanians.
Let’s not lose sight of what we have achieved, the lessons we have learnt, and continue this journey together with the same spirit and commitment.
The Government will now consider the report, engage with stakeholders and respond in full to the recommendations when Parliament resumes next year.
Thank you.