Country Liberal Party finally unveils its alternative to Treaty and Makarrata

CLP members have been urged to conduct a forensic audit on Indigenous expenditure, devolve economic power away from Aboriginal corporations, and break up ‘super shires’ as an alternative to Treaty.

CLP president Shane Stone. Picture: Evan Morgan

Country Liberal Party parliamentarians have been urged to conduct a forensic audit of Indigenous expenditure, devolve economic power away from Aboriginal corporations, and reform local government via breaking up ‘super shires’ as an alternative to Treaty.

A working committee established by the CLP on October 8 last year delivered its recommendations to the party over the weekend at its Central Council meeting in Mataranka.

The committee urged a blanket rejection of the recommendations contained within the Treaty Commission Final Report, which was delivered in June 2022.

That report, which was also abandoned by Territory Labor in December of that year, recommended self-government for Indigenous Territorians; the creation of multiple new statutory bodies, including an Aboriginal Ombudsman, a First Nations Treaty Tribunal, and an Office of Treaty-Making; and the creation of a Treaty Monetary Fund funded via a Land Bank, as exists in New Zealand.

Lawyer Tony McAvoy SC, who headed up the Northern Territory’s Treaty Commission. Pictured in Darwin. Picture: Supplied

Instead of a Treaty, the working committee encouraged the CLP’s parliamentary wing, if it formed government, to:

> Provide empowerment to Indigenous people through real meaningful reform of local government “that was taken away from them by the Henderson Labor Government in 2008” via the creation of ‘super shires’.

> Consider “new, meaningful and innovative” financial models like ‘royalties for regions’ (i.e. diverting mining royalties away from urban centres and towards the regions that generate them).

> Provide the necessary support to develop ‘welfare to wages’ type solutions.

> Ensure the “concentration of economic power does not fall into the hands of a chosen few”.

> Conduct a “forensic audit on Indigenous expenditure and programs by the Northern Territory Government and continue to lobby the Commonwealth to do likewise”.

> “Revisit” the First Circles initiative of the CLP Government 2012–2016 for peak Aboriginal organisations to be consulted on policy matters that directly affect them through the Department of Chief Minister and Cabinet.

Party president Shane Stone said the CLP’s model was workable and equitable, in contrast to treaty commission recommendations that were “unrealistic and extreme”.

“The establishment of a government within a government, based on racial lines, is not only divisive but undermines the spirit of equality and unity in our community,” he said.

“Our focus should be on empowering Indigenous Territorians through meaningful reform, not segregating powers based on race.

“We propose reforms that encourage economic independence, audit Indigenous expenditure for transparency, and ensure economic power is equitably distributed.”

Mr Stone blasted Territory Labor for continuing down the path of treaty via the reconvening of its Treaty Working Group so soon after the defeat of the Voice referendum.

“The way forward is through genuine engagement, realistic reforms, and a commitment to improving the lives of all Territorians,” he said.