2016-02-02
The Queensland Greens have responded to media reports regarding a motion on Constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians passed by the party’s State Council last weekend.
Queensland Greens spokesperson Andrew Bartlett said the party has reaffirmed its long-standing commitment to the necessity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people having informed involvement in all decisions and discussion about issues which affect them.
“This motion does not in any way deviate from the long-stated position of the Greens regarding Constitutional recognition of Australia’s first people," Mr Bartlett said.
"What it does do is emphasise an essential part of that debate – that no proposal in this area should be supported unless it has the clearcut and informed support of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people themselves.
“Constitutional recognition and a Treaty with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples were both central parts of the six core recommendations of the final report of the Indigenous-led Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation in 2000.
"These recommendations were at the heart of the Roadmap to Reconciliation produced by the Council following a decade of discussions, consultation and engagement across all parts of the community, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
"Both Recognition and Treaty can only happen with the informed consent of the first peoples of this continent," Mr Bartlett concluded.
Background information:
The State Council of the Queensland Greens is the party’s governing body. The text of the motion passed by that body on 31 January 2016 is as follows:
The Queensland Greens will not support any proposal for a referendum relating to Constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people unless and until meaningful widespread consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals and communities (within Queensland) demonstrates strong support for that proposal.