‘Trying to big note her self in a way that is wrong’: Labor Minister Lizzie Blandthorn blasted by elders amid Treaty
Minister Lizzie Blandthorn has been lashed by Aboriginal elders over a claim made before the parliamentary vote on Treaty, that members of the East Gippsland Kurnai are not native title holders.
A group of Indigenous elders are slamming a senior Labor minister who publicly claimed that Kurnai traditional elders, who have spoken out against Treaty, are not native title holders – but the government are standing by her claims.
On the eve of the parliamentary vote on the controversial Treaty Bill, Child Protection and Family Services Minister Lizzie Blandthorn has spoken out against the members of the Kurnai in East Gippsland, who oppose Treaty, saying they are not recognised as native title holders.
Her comments were made while she was addressing allegations the Allan government were using their local language to name the state’s proposed representative body, Gellung Warl – similar to the federal government’s failed Voice to parliament – without approval from traditional elders.
“The name of Gellung Warl has been approved by the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation after consultation,” Ms Blandthorn told the chamber.
“The community members mentioned by those opposite are not native title holders for Gunaikurnai.”
But the group hit back, and have written to Upper House President Shaun Leane demanding the minister be forced to retract her statement.
Speaking to the Herald Sun, local Kurnai Elder Aunty Cheryl Drayton, a Constitutional law expert, said: “She doesn't know what she’s talking about”.
“She doesn’t actually understand Aboriginal legislation, and she doesn’t understand her own Traditional Settlement Act, So I think she’s trying to big note her self in a way that is wrong,” she said.
But late last night a Victorian government representative stood by Ms Blandthorn’s comments.
“The point the community members the opposition quote make which is that only Kurnai are native title holders is incorrect - the Court has held that an inclusive group of Gunai and Kurnai people are traditional owners for that country. The exclusive Kurnai native title case was dismissed by the court. This group is not the authority on things like naming Gellung Warl, GLAWAC is and they approved the name.”
The “historic” Treaty agreement was unveiled by the Allan government in September where it was revealed the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria would be expanded, made up of 33 representatives elected by Indigenous Victorians, be given more than $70m a year by taxpayers, and be renamed using the Kurnai language.
The new bill will be voted on in the upper house on Thursday and is expected to pass, with the Greens and crossbench supporting the move.
However, more broadly Victorians remain divided after polling revealed the controversial legislation lacked majority support.
Just 37 per cent of respondents back the Treaty, according to a survey commissioned by conservative think tank Institute of Public Affairs and conducted by independent researcher Fox & Hedgehog. A further 42 per cent oppose the Treaty and 21 per cent remain undecided.
Chair of the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation Troy McDonald said the name had been approved by their organisation.
“Gunaikurnai Country Native Title holders are the people descended from the Ancestors recognised in the Federal Court’s 2010 judgment. These people identify either as Gunai or Kurnai.
“GLaWAC has the authority to give consent to use the name ‘Gellung Warl’, and GLAWAC approved its use in the Statewide Treaty Bill.”
Shadow Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Melina Bath said Ms Blndthorn’s comments were “highly disrespectful”
“Despite multiple attempts from Kurnai Elders to present their opposition to Gellung Warl being used they have been ignored and dismissed. This appalling Rejection of Kurnai Elders by Labor is not equality, respect or acknowledgment of culture this is political expediency.”
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