Seeking ways forward on treaty

By Catherine Hoffman
New Times Editor & Communications Officer

Posted Aug 14, 2017 in News

The first National President’s Minister Conference for 2017 was held in Darwin from Thursday 29 June to Sunday 2 July. The Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (Congress) had a strong presence at the event, tackling complex issues related to treaty, sovereignty, reconciliation, climate, environment and the theology of land.

These are increasingly prevalent topics of discussion both within the Uniting Church and in the wider community. But more engagement with these ideas is still needed.

At the 14th Triennial Assembly meeting of the Uniting Church in Australia, which took place in 2015, members agreed to support constitutional recognition of First Peoples as “a step towards and not a blockage to the larger issues of sovereignty and treaty.” It was also determined that “a significant priority for its life during the next triennium is to explore with Congress what it would mean for the practices of the Church to recognise and affirm that First Peoples are sovereign Peoples.”

The Assembly committed to work with Congress to educate members of the Church about the need for a treaty and to highlight issues faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

Over the past two years, Uniting Church President Stuart McMillan has often emphasised the importance of a national conversation on treaty and sovereignty.

The Darwin conference provided an opportunity for this education and conversation to take place.

“It was a really important time,” says Rev Denise Champion, reflecting on the conference during a drive to Port Augusta. “I think it would have been even better if we could have gotten all ministers involved so we weren’t only ‘preaching to the converted’.”

Treaty is also something that has received increased attention from South Australian politicians.

In July 2017, Opposition Leader Steven Marshall brought up the topic of treaty, telling the Sunday Mail that treaties “are a cruel hoax because they promise hope but don’t deliver.”

“The [State] Government has neglected (health, education, jobs and safety) over the past 15 years while they have focussed on gestures that are not practical for Aboriginal people across South Australia,” he continued.

It’s true that treaty has been a focus for the current State Government in SA. Last year, Aboriginal Affairs Minister Kyam Maher announced that the State Government would begin treaty discussions with Aboriginal communities and leaders as a step towards reconciliation.

In February 2017, the State Government appointed senior Aboriginal community leader Dr Roger Thomas to the role of independent treaty commissioner. A proud Kokatha and Mirning man, Roger had extensive prior experience in conducting public consultations with Aboriginal communities. In his new role, he visited sites in the state’s far north, far west coast, mid-north and south-east to lead a consultation on treaty with Aboriginal stakeholder groups.

The treaty commissioner’s consultation meetings have now concluded. Roger is drafting a proposed framework for treaty, and is expected to hand this to the Government in mid-2017.

It is difficult to know what framework the treaty commissioner will suggest to the State Government, what will be done with his suggestions, and how this will influence the national conversation on treaty and sovereignty.

But the Uniting Church in Australia has a responsibility to continue the conversation – on a national level, a state level, and within individual congregations.

“I really hope that the Uniting Church might be able to put pressure on the Government to make some decisions on treaty,” Denise says, continuing to reflect on the Darwin conference.

“It’s been 50 years since the referendum [to include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in the Australian census]. We don’t want to have to wait another 50 years.”

At the time of writing, the treaty commissioner is continuing to accept submissions and feedback. For more information, please visit statedevelopment.sa.gov.au/about-us/our-partners/treaty-commissioner

Rev Dr Chris Budden has prepared a brief discussion guide on sovereignty and treaty for Uniting Church members, congregations and faith communities. It is available online here.

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