Anthony Albanese under fire for ‘confusing’ Makarrata comments

An architect of the Uluru Statement says Anthony Albanese’s comments on the future of Makarrata on truth and treaty are “confusing”.

Anthony Albanese is under fire from Indigenous leaders over his “confusing” comments on Makarrata.

Uluru Dialogue co-chair Pat Anderson, a key ally for the Prime Minister on Indigenous rights, issued a scathing statement after he appeared to back track on a key election promise to establish a Makarrata commission during an interview aired on Sunday.

“The Prime Minister’s comments are confusing. Is he rolling back on the Labor election commitment to the Makaratta Commission?” Ms Anderson said.

“We understand that a constitutional Voice didn’t get up, but the Australian people didn’t vote on truth or treaty.”

Uluru co-author Pat Anderson has criticised Anthony Albanese’s apparent change of position on Makarrata. Picture: NewsWire / Gary Ramage

In the interview on Sunday, Mr Albanese said he was committed to a Makarrata, or “coming together after a struggle”, saying it was a process of “engagement” and “not a moment in time”.

When pressed on what that process looked like, Mr Albanese skimped on the details, saying his understanding of the process was “listening to and respecting First Nations people and then responding.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with Siena Stubbs, a young Yonglu woman and leader at this year's youth forum at Garma. Picture: Peter Eve / Yothu Yindi Foundation

Ms Anderson said she had a different understanding.

“Makarrata is not a vague vibe or a series of casual conversations,” the Uluru Dialogue co-chairs said.

“The Makarrata called for in the Uluru Statement is a bricks and mortar body and it was a clear election promise.”

Newly appointed Indigenous Australians Minister Malarndirri McCarthy has defended Mr Albanese, insisting the government wasn’t abandoning its commitment to the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

Indigenous Australians Minister Malarndirri McCarthy insists the Albanese government is not abandoning its commitment to the Uluru Statement. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“When I was at Gulkula in Arnhem Land beside the Prime Minister, that’s clearly not what I heard,” Ms McCarthy told ABC radio on Monday.

“I would caution everyone to just calm down. We are not moving away from our commitment to the Uluru Statement from the Heart.”

She said Mr Albanese committed to implementing the Uluru Statement on election night, and “the interpretation of what the Prime Minister said has been taken completely further than what it was meant to”.