Ministers statements: treaty
Natalie HUTCHINS (Sydenham – Minister for Government Services, Minister for Treaty and First Peoples, Minister for Prevention of Family Violence, Minister for Women) (14:16): Today is historic – a day of pride, hope and justice. Our state has negotiated a treaty with First Peoples – a treaty for all Victorians. We needed to do something to close the gap. As a productivity commissioner said, that is treaty. Treaty is how our kids can have the same opportunities and Aboriginal kids can have the same opportunities with their health and with their ability to get a job and engage in education. Treaty is how we close the gap. Treaty is how we work in genuine partnership with First Peoples. And I want to thank the First Peoples’ Assembly for getting us here today. Treaty is how we get better outcomes. When we listen to Aboriginal communities, we get kinder and more culturally sensitive outcomes. By working with Gellung Warl, the new entity, we will build on this success. The successful First Peoples’ Assembly will expand into delivering the First Peoples’ Institute and delivering an infrastructure fund. An independent accountability mechanism will ensure we improve outcomes, and ongoing truth-telling will ensure we learn about our shared history. We are the only Commonwealth country without a treaty, but today that changes.
In the meantime, those opposite refuse to support practical change to close the gap. It is shameful and it is wilful ignorance. Many in this place will choose to stand for truth and justice –
James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, ministers statements are not an opportunity for the minister to expose how unpleasant she is.
The SPEAKER: There is no point of order.
Natalie HUTCHINS: Many in this place will choose to stand for truth and justice –
James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, I took a point of order which you did not rule on.
The SPEAKER: I said there was no point of order.
Natalie HUTCHINS: but others will stand in the way of it. Those others will be remembered for choosing fear and division over respect and progress.