Ms O’CONNOR – Are there other things that you’d like to share with us about your work in the portfolio, Minister?
Mrs ARCHER – As I said, I have not been in the portfolio for very long. It’s been an absolute pleasure and privilege today to be able to travel around and talk to all kinds of stakeholders, and indeed, the expertise and knowledge that we have within the department, as well. I feel very positive about the opportunities for Tasmanian Aboriginal people. I think there are very clear priorities and pathways to achieving some of those priorities.
I also would make the point, as I have previously and particularly in the parliament, that we now have, I am certain, a shared goal. I really would welcome collaboration and input from right across the parliament in terms of us delivering on that.
Some other very important information is that we are of course hosting Joint Council in Tasmania this week on Friday at Piyura Kitina. The welcome reception is tomorrow night. That is an exciting opportunity for Tasmania to showcase some of the work that we have been doing. I think there has been some very positive things to showcase; for example, the Palawa Business Hub and the work that they have been undertaking. I’m excited for that opportunity, as well.
Ms O’CONNOR – Is this the first time we’ve hosted Joint Council?
Mrs ARCHER – Yes.
Ms O’CONNOR – I have a final, broad question. We’re entering a period of accelerating global heating, damage to Country, and damage to ecosystems. I’m sure you agree that there is a lot we could learn from Palawa people about how to better look after the place. That’s the first point and respect for Country, but there’s also a lot we could learn in practice about how to mitigate some of the consequences of climate change that are coming down the line. I wonder if that is part of your conversation, because Aboriginal land-management principles are something we haven’t really endorsed or adopted in the way we treat this island and we could do better. I’d like to hear your observations on what is possible.
Mrs ARCHER – I think that you’re correct. I think there’s been a growing recognition of that. Certainly, with the Indigenous Ranger Program, we’re seeing a real uptick in activity in that area and an understanding that that is the case. Also, some of the work that is being undertaken – it’s sort of a bit outside of my portfolio – but work has been undertaken with Parks generally and burning for fire management, for example. I visited Lungtalanana probably more than 18 months ago and it’s fantastic to see what’s happening there with both cat management and hopefully cat eradication. Also, weed management and restoration of native pastures. We’re seeing the benefits of restoring that knowledge and amplifying that knowledge in practice. That is also related to land return and land management, not just learning from Aboriginal people teaching us, but actually learning from Aboriginal people doing it themselves. You can see for example, work that’s been done at Larapuna, for example, with weeds, eradication of sort of weeds and pest species there. People can see for themselves the benefit there of that indigenous led approach.
Ms O’CONNOR – Is Larapuna one of the areas that the government would like to see formally returned as as we tried to do when we were in government.
Mrs ARCHER – It’s fair to say it falls into one of the more complex categories – not the, as Steve referred to low hanging fruit categories. It’s about also showing exactly how, as you have said, that there’s really important work being undertaken there, that has been done by Aboriginal people.
Ms GRAY – Did you want to talk about –
Mrs ARCHER – Oh yes, that’s a good opportunity. We might just take the opportunity, as you offered it to talk about Nukara, a really exciting piece of work.
Ms GRAY – I was particularly excited to respond to your question because I’ve had the absolute honour and privilege to learn that thinking from working with Caroline and with key Aboriginal leaders over the past few years. It made me think of Dewayne Everettsmith and hearing him talk once about ecosystem thinking as opposed to ego system thinking. It’s just changed the key priority reforms on Closing the Gap, are just good public policy. We are all connected to country. We’re all just passing through. For Aboriginal people, the targets will not be achieved unless we commit to and embed in our DNA those key priority reforms. That means truly sharing power at the table with Aboriginal people. I am so proud that we’ve been able to do that on two key things.
On Truwana/Cape Barren Island, the approach that we’ve taken with the steering committee for that little island and the achievements we’ve been able to make by having Catherine and Aaron from the Cape Barren Island Aboriginal Association side by side with deputy secretaries and the CEO of Homes Tasmania. They’ve been fighting for title for six Aboriginal houses on that island. For the first time ever, title is going to be transferred. We’re responsible for municipal and essential services on that island. We’re upgrading machinery and that’s all being done together with Aaron and Catherine making the decisions, not government. We have practical examples of this and Nukara. Nukara is part of that future generations thinking. It’s a real opportunity. It was funded from our Closing the Gap capacity building grants and it is the number one priority of our coalition of peaks partner to put the care and protection of Aboriginal children back in Aboriginal hands and the lessons that we’ve learned from the commission of inquiry and the transformational thinking that’s required there is the same in Closing the Gap. We are, in ministries and everyone at this table is committed to really embedding the priority reforms so that we get the shift in thinking we need, which is about being connected to country and it is about our environment as much as it about the social progress.
Ms O’CONNOR – That was beautifully put, Mel. You’ve moved a few of us to tears!
Ms GRAY – We will be showcasing Nukara on Friday at Joint Council, and it is –
Mrs ARCHER – It’s a very exciting transformation opportunity.
Ms GRAY – It’s Aboriginal-lead, it’s not my strategy. I don’t know if you wanted to add anything or Caroline about Nukara.
Ms SPOTSWOOD – It’s important to acknowledge the work of the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre as a part of the coalition in the development of Nukara. Wendy Moore is the lead for that and there was consultation throughout the whole state in regard to the development of the strategy, the actual plan and the associated documents.
In regard to transforming government, bringing it back to Closing the Gap, the transition of Aboriginal children to be with family and community is of the utmost importance.
Ms O’CONNOR – Excellent, yes.
CHAIR – Thank you. Perhaps a good note to finish on.
Mrs ARCHER – What? Making Ms O’Connor cry?
Ms O’CONNOR – I saw you, minister, having a little cry yourself.
