Indigenous treaty more important than ‘voice’: Michael Mansell

Aboriginal Lands Council of Tasmania chairman Michael Mansell says a treaty has the potential to make even more change than a ‘voice’.

Aboriginal Lands Council of Tasmania chairman Michael Mansell.

There is no need for Australians to fear an indigenous voice enshrined in the Constitution but a treaty has the potential to make even more change, according to a land council boss who endorsed the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

Aboriginal Lands Council of Tasmania chairman Michael Mansell was with delegates in central Australia in May 2017 who helped to create the Uluru statement calling for the establishment of a First Nations voice enshrined in the Constitution. The Uluru statement proposes three key elements for sequential reform: “Voice, Treaty, Truth” and has been embraced by corporate giants including BHP, which donated $1 million for a public education campaign ahead of a referendum.

“I endorsed it wholeheartedly … I still do,” Mr Mansell said. “The delegates were reflecting Aboriginal sentiment around the country which was frustration at being shut out of decision-making.”

The voice is widely regarded as the most important element of the Uluru statement, however Mr Mansell said he believed a treaty was potentially more powerful. He cited the opinion of constitutional law expert Anne Twomey who had made it clear such a voice would advise, not dictate.

“An advisory body can’t return land to people who can’t get ­Native Title,” he said. “A treaty with Aboriginal people can.”

Prime Minister Scott Morrison last week expressed his opposition to a voice enshrined in the Constitution. His strident position is a blow to supporters of the Uluru statement.

Mr Mansell said yesterday he saw the voice as benign. “It will have no legislative powers, ­deliver no services, return no land, have no budget to distribute,” he wrote in a letter to The Australian.

“It cannot override, impede or interfere with parliamentary processes.

“In fact, it is powerless. The voice cannot impose any obligations on governments nor create any rights for Aboriginal people. It can only advise.’’