Indigenous leaders are calling on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to deliver on his government’s promise to implement the Uluru Statement from the Heart. They advocate for the adoption of truth-telling and treaty-making processes. During the campaign against the Voice referendum, they cried wolf. They feel the government’s withdrawal from these reforms has betrayed the faith of Aboriginal communities. Fresh from victory, the Albanese administration is back and leaders are intent on making the most of their mandate. They’re committed to making sure that the rest of the reforms are passed.
Leading Indigenous scholar and activist, Professor Peter Yu, draws attention to the crumbling faith in the relationship between Aboriginal Peoples and the federal government. He states, “There’s a vacuous situation, as it relates to the fundamental understanding and trust relationship between governments and Aboriginal people, given that the government has not made any commitments, in fact, has moved away from the remaining part of the Uluru Statement.” He stresses the urgency of action, saying, “Survivors are dying … we don’t have time to waste.”
The Call for Truth-Telling and Treaty
Implementation leaders within Indigenous communities insist that truth-telling is a vital precondition for healing and reconciliation. Shannan Dodson, chief executive of the Healing Foundation, calls on the federal government to provide support to Stolen Generations survivors as a priority. She describes how truth-telling makes sure that survivors’ stories don’t get erased and helps survivors heal.
Dodson notes, “I think whatever that process might look like, truth-telling definitely is something we need to consider.” Her father, Mick Dodson, was the first Aboriginal person to serve as social justice commissioner. He authored the Bringing Them Home report, which published the stories of the Aboriginal children forcibly removed from their families.
Senator Dorinda Cox is calling on Labor to be courageous and show leadership by backing the reforms. Her plan is to reintroduce her Truth and Justice Commission bill again later this year. According to Cox, “They should have that courage and leadership to complete that by backing our bill.”
The Importance of Healing After the Voice Referendum
In light of the recent Voice referendum, Marion Scrymgour shares a deep feeling among her electorate that there is a need for healing. Indigenous communities are now in a state of disappointment and frustration following the result of the failed referendum.
Pat Turner, an advocate for Indigenous rights, emphasizes that the Albanese government must take action rather than rest on its accomplishments. She continues, “There really is a lot of work to be done. Turner calls for a more significant federal role in lifting the age of criminal responsibility and finalizing partnerships with community-controlled sectors.
She adds, “Closing the Gap is every minister’s responsibility, not just Malarndirri McCarthy’s. It belongs to every minister in the federal cabinet.” This statement is a clear reminder of the deep shared accountability that exists across the Commonwealth public service to tackle problems that Indigenous Australians face.
The Urgency of Action
Though truth-telling and treaty discussions are still in their infancy, Turner remains hopeful that bold decisions will be taken by the federal government. She raises the example of a powerful desire across Aboriginal communities to establish truth-telling initiatives.
The Aboriginal community felt deeply this desire for truth telling. They desire to make progress on a path toward a more formal resolution of this multiyear issue. She says. So that’s sort of a question of being brave, and maybe bravery and faith.
In light of these calls for action, Shannan Dodson echoes this sentiment by hoping for decisive steps forward: “I hope that we can see some boldness in the decisions that are made.”
The Albanese government is under enormous pressure from Indigenous leaders to go far beyond a voice and commit to the full implementation of the Uluru Statement. They call for truth-telling and treaty updates. Their mission is to build confidence again and to deliver essential assistance that continues helping victims of past injustices.
