We will stay on Parliament Lawns until Premier commits to treaty: Tasmanian Aboriginal group

A Tasmanian Aboriginal group has vowed to remain camped on Parliament Lawns in Hobart until Premier Jeremy Rockliff commits to legislating a treaty.

Nala Mansell with father Michael Mansell. Members of the Tasmanian Aboriginal community are setting up camp on Parliament House lawns Hobart to assert their sovereign rights over their lands and demand a treaty. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

A Tasmanian Aboriginal group has vowed to remain camped on Parliament Lawns in Hobart until Premier Jeremy Rockliff commits to legislate for a treaty process.

Addressing a gathering of supporters on Tuesday afternoon, campaign co-ordinator Nala Mansell said 220 years after colonisation, non-Aboriginal Tasmanians were yet to ask permission to be on her people’s sovereign lands.

Supporter gathered on Parliament House lawns Hobart to assert their sovereign rights over their lands and demand a treaty. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Ms Mansell called for Premier Rockliff to meet the Aboriginal-elected Treaty Group to discuss future steps for legislative action, accusing the Government of reneging on a promise it made in 2021.

“We demand a treaty,” Ms Mansell said told the crowd.

“We are here on our land, and we will not move until the Premier comes out, speaks to the people, and agrees to legislate for a treaty.

“Some of you have already planned to camp out here overnight, and into the future.

“We will be setting up our tents, and will stay to demand a treaty from the Premier.”

Nunami Sculthorpe-Green addresses the crowd on Parliament House lawns. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Michael Mansell, from the Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania, said the palawa community had gathered to remind the Government of a promise it made three years ago to begin a process of treaty making.

Mr Mansell urgent the government to “get on” with a process that he said would provide a definitive structure about the relationship between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Tasmanians into the future.

Tasmanian Aboriginal group has vowed to remain camped on Parliament Lawns in Hobart until Premier Jeremy Rockliff commits to legislating a treaty. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“The government committed to a report that was delivered in November 2021 by the former Governor of Tasmania Kate Warner, which recommended the government legislate a treaty process,” Mr Mansell said.

“Since then the government seems to have shelved the idea and have taken no action.

“I personally have met twice with the premier I’ve met a number of times with the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs … and each time was told that the Government has a hand-picked advisory body, and would do nothing until they hear from the advisory body.”

Daisy Allan from the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre speak on Parliament House lawns. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Mr Mansell said had provided the Premier with his group’s own draft treaty-process bill last year, but was yet to hear back from the Government.

The veteran campaigner said there was no reason why the Tasmanian Parliament could not legislate a treaty process in the next few months.

“The whole thing can turn around very quickly if the Premier honours the promise that made in 2021,” Mr Mansell said.

“Or in the absence of the premier making that commitment, the parliament itself takes taking the lead given the makeup of this parliament is very different to the parliament before the last election.”

Tasmanian Aboriginal group has vowed to remain camped on Parliament Lawns in Hobart until Premier Jeremy Rockliff commits to legislating a treaty. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

A spokesperson said the government was always will to engage with the Tasmanian Aboriginal people, and had appointed an Aboriginal Advisory Group to lead a process for Truth-telling and Treaty.

The government would consider the Aboriginal Advisory Group’s advice as it was received, and urged Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre representatives to become involved in the process.

“The Premier and Aboriginal Affairs Minister have previously met with members of the TAC-nominated group, who were present on the Parliament Lawns today, and have encouraged them to participate in the Advisory Group process,” the spokesperson said.

“The Aboriginal Advisory Group has also invited the TAC members to attend Advisory Group meetings, but to date they have declined to do so.”