The Science Party First Nations Treaty policy is to establish a treaty organisation to develop treaties for ratification by parliament and indigenous groups throughout Australia. We have made this policy because it is the right thing to do.

Aboriginal peoples have at no time agreed to any of the property, sovereignty, cultural, resources and inhumane treatment that they have endured. The Science Party believes that this should be respected in the parliament and in all laws and decisions that we make as a nation. Australia is the only nation in the commonwealth that does not have a treaty with its indigenous peoples. A mature nation must respect its past. The wealth of this country is in part due to the land that was taken from the Aboriginal people yet despite that, Aboriginal people continue to be marginalised to a point that they are least likely to be able to take advantage of wealth and opportunity in this country.

These separate treaties developed and implemented by the Treaty organisation will discuss real and meaningful agreements with governments and traditional owners and groups. We’ve put a lot of thought into the following articles that we think the treaty would discuss:

1. First nations government(s) and self determination;

2. Aboriginal embassy;

3. A review of Aboriginal inhabited, and Crown lands to increase control and autonomy by removing restrictions on land use and establishing a land title with high permissiveness;

4. Constitutional recognition;

5. Critical review and update of our cultural identity including locations, imagery, names, national anthem, flag and protocols;

6. Indigenous language, culture, arts and history integration into formal education across the country;

7. More representation in official government processes; and

8. Appropriate compensation for indigenous groups for various injustices, such as land theft and stolen generations.

This is just a start however. We think that a treaty organisation would develop further appropriate articles with the various leaders and groups, and that is the way it must be.

Links

http://nationalcongress.com.au

http://www.atns.net.au/default.asp

http://www.creativespirits.info/aboriginalculture/selfdetermination/would-a-treaty-help-aboriginal-self-determination#ixzz41PuYZXB8

http://www.creativespirits.info/aboriginalculture/selfdetermination/would-a-treaty-help-aboriginal-self-determination#toc0

http://www.recognise.org.au/blogs/constitutional-recognition-why-its-right/