Cassy O’Connor MP | Greens' Leader
The return of the late, great Geoff King's takayna property to Aboriginal ownership is both an historic moment and an important step towards ensuring Geoff's legacy of care for that extraordinary, wild coastline lives on.
Geoff King gave his life to protecting the culturally rich landscape his family long owned from damage and vandals, often putting himself at personal risk to do so.
He was also always happy to share Kings Run, telling stories to fortunate guests into the night as Tasmanian devils fought over carcasses he'd collected outside his little shack on the coast.
Kings Run is now back in Aboriginal hands as a result of a dedicated philanthropic effort to ensure its rightful ownership and protection.
Sadly, the only significant lands that have been returned under the Liberals have been done so privately, with the Premier and Aboriginal Affairs Minister, Will Hodgman, giving little back but empty promises to 'reset the relationship' with Tasmania's Aboriginal people.
While we celebrate the return of Kings Run, we also need to acknowledge there is so much unfinished business with this island's first people.
The return of lands is critical to reconciliation and, given his failure to do so over the past three and a half years, we urge the Premier to make a statement about whether he'll restart land returns if reelected in the next term.