Treaty advancement
Ms BLANDTHORN (Pascoe Vale) (09:54): Our Victorian democracy may not be very old, but I acknowledge that I make this statement today in a Parliament that stands on ancient lands. I acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we meet, and I pay my respects to them, their culture and their elders, past and present. Obviously I cannot use a members statement to debate matters in a bill before the house, so I do not intentionally do that in relation to the Treaty Authority and Other Treaty Elements Bill 2022, but in the absence of having the opportunity to make a contribution on that bill, I did want to put on the record my acknowledgement that Indigenous people are the First People of this country. This land is their land and, as evidence demonstrates, it had been for many thousands of years prior to invasion and it has never been ceded. The premise of any invasion is the unfortunate belief that one person, a group of persons or indeed a kingdom or a nation is somehow better or more worthy than another. And the premise of so many of the atrocities inflicted on Indigenous Australians—from massacres to stealing children, slave labour, incarceration, violence, economic deprivation, discrimination, segregation and so much more—has been the belief that one person or group of persons is somehow better than another. This appalling history must be acknowledged; it must be taught, and it must be remembered. We must also find ways to close the gap, right injustices and walk forward together. Closing the Gap is about services and support, but it is also about so much more. It is about recognition and about treaty. And around the world, including in neighbouring New Zealand, we have seen that recognition and treaty are not tokenistic but are a vital expression of the inherent dignity of every person and are crucial to ensuring justice for Indigenous people. Justice delayed is justice denied, and the quest for justice has been too long.