First Nations Peoples

The Australian Greens want First Nations peoples to have self-determination over their own destiny, to prosper and achieve the aspirations they have for their lives and for their children and grandchildren and for First Nations peoples to have all they need to live their lives in health, well-being and peace on their lands.

Vision

The Australian Greens want First Nations peoples to have self-determination over their own destiny, to prosper and achieve the aspirations they have for their lives and for their children and grandchildren and for First Nations peoples to have all they need to live their lives in health, well-being and peace on their lands. We respect First Nations knowing, being and doing and will embed this principle in all aspects of national policy.

The Barrier

The continued legacy of colonialism has not yet fully recognised the sovereignty of our First Nations peoples across the entire continent of Australia.  This is a wrong that must be made right. Endemic racism, oppressive laws and policies, misunderstanding, ignorance and the lack of knowledge and education has meant that First Nations peoples have generationally been subject to policies and legislation that have impoverished many lives.  At present, many still live in poverty and disadvantage, without the same rights and services that other Australians enjoy. This must be changed so that future generations of First Nations children can dream of better things.

First Nations peoples in Australia have been traumatised by the generational actions and policies of subsequent governments and peoples in denying them their rights and traditions to live peacefully according to their spiritual, cultural, and sovereign legal rights under Australian Law.

It is time to recognise that First Nations Peoples knowledge and lore systems provide the foundation for true self- determination utilising the rights set out in the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as the foundation. 

In order to remove these barriers, the Australian Greens will be advised on First Nations national policy by the Australian Greens First Nations Network (AGFNN) recognising that they represent the diversity of histories, views and dreams of their First Nations communities in each State and Territory.

Core Principle

The United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP) is the key document on which we base our National First Nations Policy

Key Sections of the UNDRIP to form the basis of the Australian Greens actions for First Nations Peoples:

  1. Free, prior and informed consent
  2. Foundational Rights
  3. Self-Governance and Rights to Representation
  4. Language cultural and spiritual identity
  5. Rights to Country, resources, and our knowledge
  6. Protection of Country
  7. Participation, development, and economic and social rights
  8. Life & Security
  9. Education, information and employment and;
  10. Non-discrimination and equality.

To achieve these fundamental and international Rights we will ensure that Australia’s obligations under the UNDRIP are written into domestic policy

Three Core Priorities (3 Core Inner Circles) in this order

  • 1.    Truth
    Establish a Truth & Justice Commission
  • 2.    Treaty
    Enact a national Treaty and/or Treaties with First Nations peoples in this country, sovereign to sovereign
  • 3.    Voice
    Subject to Treaty negotiations, establish a national First Nations Voice to be included in the governance of Australia, as determined by First Nations peoples

Specific Measures (10 Outer Circles)

The Australian Greens will:

  1. Work in Unity with all First Nations peoples in healing our shared history,
  2. Respect, recognise, learn from and seek consent for First Nations peoples spiritual, cultural, social and physical relationship with the land, waters and environment, and their rights and obligations as custodian and protectors
  3. Ensure Australia complies with the UNDRIP and all other international instruments that recognise the rights of First Nations peoples
  4. Make reparations to the Stolen Generations, informed by the Stolen Generations
  5. Recognise the Frontier Wars as part of Australian history and make reparations to those affected by the Frontier Wars
  6. Immediately repeal the Stronger Futures legislation
  7. Hold governments to account for implementing the Closing the Gap targets,
  8. Revoke compulsory income management
  9. Review the Native Title Legislation to make it consistent with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
  10. Ensure First Nations peoples have equal rights and access to essential services including health, education, training, housing, community infrastructure, employment support, and culturally specific and culturally safe justice systems.

Urgent Attention (10 Outer Circles overlaid)  

  1. Incarceration and deaths in custody, kids in custody and justice reinvestment
  2. Suicide Prevention
  3. Child Protection and removals
  4. Homelessness and housing
  5. Health equity
  6. Protection from and recovery from Violence and Trauma
  7. Cultural Heritage Protection
  8. Language Translation Services
  9. Care for Country
  10. Climate crisis impacts on First Nations people