Australian Greens: Greens welcome funding for national Truth and Treaty processes

“Funding national Truth and Treaty processes is an investment in real power for First Nations people.” Said the Greens spokesperson for First Nations: Gunnai, Gunditjmara and DjabWurrung Senator Lidia Thorpe.

“Labor announcing funding for Truth and Treaty is a massive win for our grassroots, community campaign on Treaty. This budget proves what we’ve always said: that we can make progress on Truth, Treaty and Voice at the same time. 

“Our communities need to be in the driver’s seat of all Truth and Treaty processes. I’ll keep working with Labor to progress a self-determined, grassroots consultation process in this term of parliament. 

“First Nations people have been fighting for Treaty for decades. Our Elders marched for it, the Hawke Labor Government promised it in the 80s. Treaty is a formal agreement that protects First Nations rights and sets the terms for First Nations people to negotiate with the Government. It sets the baseline.

“Other work that’s urgent, and overdue, is implementing all of the recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. I fought hard for this, and Labor has put some money towards justice for First Nations people in this budget.

“Around 40% of the Commission’s recommendations are about social factors, because access to basic human rights will prevent First Nations people from entering prison in the first place. Labor’s investment in First Nations health, housing and education is a positive step forwards. 

“This budget puts $81.5 million towards justice reinvestment, which is when we build communities instead of prisons.We’re also finally starting to get some action on real-time reporting on deaths in custody and First Nations legal services are getting a boost.

“I’m looking forward to Senate Estimates to dig into the details. This is an opportunity to move forward as a united country. I’m keen to keep working with this Government, to ensure they deliver on their commitments. The Greens will keep fighting to make them go further and fast on Blak justice.” Said Thorpe.