Wednesday, 27 November 2024

 David ETTERSHANK (Western Metropolitan) (10:05): Last week I had the honour of attending the ceremonial opening of treaty negotiations at Darebin Parklands on Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung country. Organised by the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria with the Victorian government, it was a significant step in a process that began eight years ago. The Yoorrook truth-telling commission laid bare once again the devastation wrought by 200 years of colonisation on Victoria’s First Peoples. We heard the detailed firsthand accounts of the abuse and discrimination they experienced and continue to endure. It is not enough to merely recognise this history and to say sorry. What matters is change – change for the better, developed with our Aboriginal communities, informed by their knowledge and wisdom. Treaties negotiated in good faith with goodwill with our traditional owners will form the bedrock of that change. This is not about taking from one group to give to another, whatever the culture war warriors would have us believe. It is about reconciling with our past and walking with Aboriginal communities to shape a better future. I applaud the Victorian government for its work on truth-telling and the treaty process and for showing genuine courage and leadership at a time when too many governments across the country are not.