The generational grief, deep wounds and enduring dispossession of the Tasmanian Aboriginal people have been acknowledged by the Tasmanian Parliament today with the release of the ‘Pathway to Truth-Telling and Treaty’ report.
Members of the Aboriginal community joined Professor Kate Warner and Professor Tim McCormack in the Chamber to see the report being tabled.
The report is a sign post to Truth-Telling, Treaty and genuine reconciliation. It can help to heal the deepest wounds.
Lutruwita/Tasmania is stolen land. It was nurtured by its people over 50 000 years or more, then taken at the point of a gun from Aboriginal people soon after the arrival of the English in 1803.
There can be no more broken promises, and no more false hope.
We thank all those who had the trust and took the time to contribute to this report, and to Professors Kate Warner and Tim McCormack for their thoughtful consideration. We also commend the Premier for having the courage to put these early steps in place.
The Greens welcome the government’s commitment to a Truth-telling Commission, and restate our long-held support for Treaty, land returns and changing the date of Australia Day.
We are fully committed to working cooperatively with Aboriginal people, across the Parliament and in the community to see the promises contained in this report fulfilled.
