Media release – Rosalie Woodruff MP, Greens Leader and Aboriginal Affairs spokesperson, 31 July 2024
Rockliff Deprioritises Truth-Telling and Treaty Progress
It’s been three years since the tabling of the Pathway to Truth-Telling and Treaty Report and despite promises from the Liberal Government, no progress has been made.
As Premier, Peter Gutwein promised Tasmanian Aboriginal people he would prioritise a pathway to Truth-telling and Treaty. Jeremy Rockliff recommitted himself to that promise when he took the top job.
Since then, there’s been nothing.
Eighteen months ago, the Tasmanian Aboriginal community sent Minister Jaensch a draft bill they’d prepared – but still there’s been no progress. Words are hollow without action.
Members of Tasmania Aboriginal community are currently camped outside Parliament – demanding progress on Truth-telling and Treaty. When the Greens asked the Premier to commit to kickstarting a process, he said he would be prioritising ‘closing the gap’ over the once-promised pathway to Truth-telling and Treaty.
Premier Rockliff’s paternalism in choosing the important issues for Tasmania’s Aboriginal community is offensive.
