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A
treaty between Indigenous peoples and Australia could have
recognised and protected Indigenous rights and led to a just
constitutional basis for the Australian Federation.
Instead, Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander peoples were completely overlooked as relevant parties
in the formation of the Australian Federation.
The time is right to talk about a
treaty with the approach of the Centenary of Federation. Even
the word ’federate’ derives from a Latin word meaning ‘to
make a treaty’.
A recent AC Nielsen Age poll showed
that 53 per cent of Australians are ready to embrace the concept
of a treaty. A national treaty here will reflect an Australia
that has matured as a nation.
It’s
important to realise that a national treaty does not stop
Indigenous communities and other local, regional, state and
territory stakeholders from signing treaties with each other
at those levels.
Canada, USA and New Zealand all have
treaties with Indigenous peoples and it is time for Australia
to reach for the same recognition of partnership.
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