2016-09-08
Tony Abbott opposing the movement to achieve sovereignty and treaty with First Australians indicates he is out of touch when it comes to reconciliation, Senator Rachel Siewert said today.
“Someone should remind the former Prime Minister that many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are moving beyond the sole aim of Constitutional Recognition, there is now a much wider call to also achieve sovereignty and treaties.
“I think many people will find his comments concerning and would urge him to listen to the discussions about Australia's unfinished business.
“I urge the former PM to listen: there is a growing call for both meaningful constitutional recognition and conversations on sovereignty and treaties.
“We know that self-determination is essential to closing the gap for our first peoples. There is about to be a round of meetings with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities on constitutional recognition, I urge politicians to listen to what comes out of them".