Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au
NSW Labor wants treaty with Aboriginals
NSW Labor will establish a treaty with state’s Aboriginal people if elected to government in 2019, opposition leader Luke Foley says.
January 25, 2018
NSW Labor will establish a treaty recognising traditional indigenous ownership of the state if elected to government in 2019.
A treaty would acknowledge the wrongs of the past and help put things right for the future, says Opposition leader Luke Foley who will attend the 80th anniversary of the ‘Day of Mourning’ held by the Aboriginal community in Redfern on Australia Day on Friday.
“As a society, we must come to terms with the dispossession of the indigenous people and the consequences of that dispossession,” he said in a statement on Thursday.
“Only down this road will we find fulfilment”.
The contents of a treaty would be determined by negotiation with NSW’s Aboriginal people but could cover recognition of historic wrongs, land claims, health and education, economic development and language preservation.
“A treaty will provide a truthful and honourable basis for our reconciliation with the state’s first people,” Mr Foley said.