Dr WOODRUFF, question to PREMIER, Mr ROCKLIFF
Premier, Theresa Sainty is a respected palawa woman and inaugural member of Mr Jaensch’s Treaty Advisory Committee. Two weeks ago, Ms Sainty resigned from the committee in disgust. In a letter to the minister she said:
“It was not surprising to hear that some of your right-wing Liberal Party colleagues are not supportive of the Truth-Telling and Treaty agenda. This explains your seeming disinterest in Aboriginal affairs across the board.”
Particularly shocking to Ms Sainty was Mr Jaensch’s suggestion that the Aboriginal community might need to change the narrative on Truth-Telling and Treaty. Clearly, things have reached breaking point under this minister. Will you take back the Aboriginal Affairs portfolio, make good on your government’s promise and put lutruwita/Tasmania back on the path to Truth-Telling and Treaty?
ANSWER
Honourable Speaker, I thank Dr Woodruff for her question. I repeat the importance of unity of purpose around these important matters, unity amongst Tasmanian Aboriginal people and unity amongst Tasmanians more broadly. In other words, bringing all Tasmanians along the very important journey, acknowledging our very dark past, which I have spoken about many times, and also advocating for and acknowledging the importance of the matters regarding Closing the Gap.
You are correct around Ms Sainty’s resignation from the Aboriginal advisory group on 16 July and Ms Sainty’s reasons are a matter for her. I understand that our minister has reached out and extended an invitation for Theresa to meet with him to discuss the issues of concern. I am sure the minister has thanked, and I also thank, Theresa for her knowledge and valuable contribution towards a process for Truth-Telling and Treaty in Tasmania.
Dr Woodruff – You need to intervene. This is broken.
The SPEAKER – Leader of the Greens, I would rather you did not interject through this, please, and I will draw the Premier to the specific part of your question to avoid further interjections.
Mr ROCKLIFF – I want to thank minister Jaensch for his contribution to the Aboriginal Affairs portfolio, as challenging as that is, but also, as I know minister Jaensch would attest to, very rewarding as well. Mrs Petrusma speaks as a former minister for Aboriginal Affairs as well, a very rewarding portfolio, but also has its challenges, particularly when you look at the data that I speak of around those key areas. What is important moving forward is that the Tasmanian community unite. If there is one thing that I was very disappointed with over the last 12 months, it is the disunity in discussion about matters pertaining to Aboriginal people nationwide and Tasmania‑wide.
However, what unites us is the need to focus on those areas that really matter more urgently. In my view, a priority over treaty legislation are those matters around closing the gap.
SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION
Dr WOODRUFF – A supplementary question, Speaker.
The SPEAKER – I will hear the supplementary question.
Dr WOODRUFF – I did not hear your answer to my question. Will you take back the Aboriginal Affairs portfolio and make good your government’s promise? It was a promise.
The SPEAKER – It is the original question. I think the Premier’s commentary around the minister was indicating his answer, but does the Premier wish to add to that answer at all?
Mr ROCKLIFF – I have confidence in Minister Jaensch when it comes to these matters. I hasten to add that we have worked very closely together on these important areas of responsibility, and we will continue to work together as we will continue to work together with all Aboriginal communities across Tasmania.
