First Peoples’ Assembly wants ‘safe’ meeting place

A state parliament meeting “threatens to inflict emotional and spiritual distress that will poison (the assembly) and treaty,” elders say.

The request has been dismissed by Victorian Treaty ­Advancement Commissioner Jill Gallagher. Picture: AAP

The decision to hold the inaugural meeting of the First People’s ­Assembly of Victoria at state parliament “threatens to inflict emotional and spiritual distress that will poison (the assembly) and treaty,” according to elders, who have attacked the voting process as being “directed and controlled” by the Andrews ­government.

The 32-member assembly, 11 members from formally recognised traditional owner groups and 21 members elected by indigenous Victorians, will this week meet for the first time at state parliament to elect an executive and begin work to negotiate a treaty with the Andrews government.

Muthi Muthi/Wamba Wamba elder and elected assembly member Jason Kelly has written to fellow assembly members urging them to change the venue to a more “culturally safe” location.

Mr Kelly’s request has been dismissed by Victorian Treaty ­Advancement Commissioner Jill Gallagher, who says she chose state parliament because of the “immense power on such an important occasion in claiming this place as our own”.

Mr Kelly and other indigenous elders, including Bendigo-based Aunty Gabby Gamble, are also critical of the election process recently conducted by the treaty commission, which saw just 2000 indigenous Victorians participate, despite 30,000 being eligible.

“To demand the First Peoples’ Assembly convene at Parliament House is not only an affront to every Aboriginal person, it threatens to inflict emotional and spiritual distress that will poison us and the treaty,” he said. “I sent an email to VTAC on November 12 suggesting any induction events take place at appropriate places such as on the Yarra (River), or at the site of a scar canoe tree.

“I did not receive a reply.”

Mr Kelly accused the Andrews government of having “influenced” the outcome of the ­People’s Assembly election by requiring private firm the Australian Electoral Company to conduct a preferential rather than a “first past the post” poll.

“In essence, AEC’s hands were tied, and mob deceived. An ‘independent’ election authority was forced to adhere to election rules written explicitly by the Premier and cabinet,” Mr Kelly said.

Ms Gamble said she decided not to participate in treaty negotiations because of the treaty commission’s “dishonest manage­ment” of the process so far, and had consequently refused a request to construct two sacred coolamons (Aboriginal containers made of wood or bark) for Tuesday’s meeting.

“How could I deliver two ­sacred coolamons into the seat of parliament where the genocidal and trauma-inflicting decisions have been made and where today the totally transparent ­treaty process is being hijacked by a government which cannot even honour its obligations in their very own 2018 Advancing the Treaty Process with Aboriginal Victorians Act?” Ms Gamble said. “I have chosen to stand in ­solidarity with my people and in particular the Stolen Generations, and recently refused this ‘opportunity’ to be a part of history.”

Ms Gallagher said she was deeply hurt by allegations regarding her independence.

“No government department or minister could or has directed the work of the commission,” she said.

“Parliament House is a strongly symbolic location. I well understand the hurt that decisions from this place have caused.

“That is why I think there is immense power on such an important occasion in claiming this place as our own, standing where government stands as equal sovereigns.”

Ms Gallagher has previously described turnout for the election as “fantastic”.

“The preferential voting system we used is the best way of making sure that results reflect the views of voters,” Ms Gallagher said.

“It was a recommendation of the Community Assembly in late 2017 and it represents global best practice. I make no apologies for using it.”

An Andrews government spokeswoman said the government fully supported Ms Gallagher and the commission in establishing the First People’s assembly.

“The first meeting provides a historic opportunity for Assembly members to find a way forward – and every voice will be heard,” the spokeswoman said.

“In a recent interview with The Australian to mark five years in government, Premier Daniel Andrews said he expected the treaty process to be a lengthy one.

“We’ve done a bunch of things knowing that we won’t be around when they’re finished,” Mr Andrews said.

“Treaty’s never been delivered anywhere in the world in under 10 years.”