Treaty Negotiations

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (14:50): I seek leave to make a brief explanation prior to directing a question to the Leader of the Government on the subject of Aboriginal treaties.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS: Members would be aware that over recent weeks I have asked a series of questions of the minister seeking to tease out some details as to what might be included in the treaties policy that the government has announced. In particular, I asked some questions as to whether the government had indicated to Indigenous communities that issues such as financial compensation, teaching Indigenous languages in schools, or more autonomy on health, land and cultural site issues could be included in treaty negotiations. The minister's response last month to one of those questions was as follows, and I quote:

The state government has not indicated anything that may or may not be in treaties, certainly that I'm aware of.

Given the minister's answers to those questions, I ask the minister whether he can outline to this chamber today the one specific potential issue that might be included in such a treaty which would provide some tangible positive benefit to an Indigenous community?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Employment, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, Minister for Manufacturing and Innovation, Minister for Automotive Transformation, Minister for Science and Information Economy) (14:51): I thank the honourable member for his question. As I have indicated, we are not coming in with preconceived ideas, and we're not going out and saying, 'Yes, this is what's going to happen.' I am absolutely convinced that policies work best in Aboriginal affairs when there is involvement with Aboriginal people and communities, and that is what we are doing in relation to this, so we have started doing that.

Certainly, some of the things that the honourable member mentioned, I have also read in the media as suggestions that have been made by different Aboriginal people or groups as things that they would be interested in, and I think the honourable member, when he asked this question a couple of weeks ago, talked about—and I can't remember which paper it was in—an article where a representative of the Adnyamathanha talked about teaching Aboriginal languages in schools. That is an interesting suggestion and certainly I think that would have a tangible benefit. I am convinced, and I think most people are convinced that when people have a greater understanding of each other it leads to better outcomes.

I think, when Aboriginal language and culture is taught and understood, it can help with reconciliation and it can help reduce racism. I think we see that working positively in New Zealand where the Maori language is widely spoken across both North and South islands and is taught in schools, and part of the New Zealand anthem is sung in the Maori language. So, I think that suggestion, if it has come from the Adnyamathanha, would be something that would have a tangible benefit.

I know that other groups are talking about what levers does the state government have to help with economic development, and in different regions and Aboriginal communities that might have a tangible benefit. But, as I have said, we're going into this with an open mind, and I look forward to seeing what comes out of it and what suggestions are put forward.