Greens ramp up campaign for Indigenous ’truth telling’ commission
The Albanese government is facing renewed pressure from the Greens to come good on their promise of an Indigenous truth telling commission. Will the PM listen?
NSW
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Newly appointed Indigenous Affairs Minister Malarndirri McCarthy is facing growing pressure from the Greens to fast track a truth telling commission as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told Indigenous elders his government was committed to a Makarrata Commission.
Ms McCarthy is facing a push from the Greens to support their private member’s bill and create a truth telling commission similar to Victoria’s Yoorrook Justice Commission and educate Australians about the impact of colonisation.
The Makarrata Commission comes from the Yolngu people, the same community Mr Albanese will speak to at the Garma festival on Saturday, and would be responsible for truth telling and a national First Nations treaty.
Treaty and truth-telling are the other two parts of the Uluru Statement from the Heart in addition to the failed Voice to parliament.
“Following reports that the government may be considering watering down this vital process of truth telling in communities, abandoning the approach championed in Victoria and elsewhere, I reiterate the view of the Greens that the Federal Government takes an active role in leading the nation’s discussion on Truth Telling,” Greens Senator Dorinda Cox wrote to Ms McCarthy in a letter seen by the Telegraph.
“This process is important, challenging, and will be painful for many First Nations peoples – and it would be inappropriate for Federal Labor to walk away from it.“
Labor has said it is engaging with communities and leaders to decide its next steps after the failure of the Voice referendum but on Saturday Mr Albanese moved to reassure Indigenous leaders that he is still committed to the Uluru Statement from the Heart in full.
“We remain committed to Makarrata, that powerful Yolngu word gifted to the nation, for a coming together after a struggle,” he said.
“And we will continue to engage in good faith with leaders and communities to decide what the next steps should be at a national level.”
Alyawarre elder Pat Anderson has already called on the government to support the Greens’ bill.
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