Dr WOODRUFF question to PREMIER, Mr ROCKLIFF
I acknowledge the palawa community here today and ask this question on behalf of elder Jim Puralia Everett Meenamatta. He asks:
Premier, the palawa first nation of lutruwita/Tasmania have never ceded our rights under law and country, translated as ‘sovereignty’ in English. The doctrine of terra nullius is long dead. The palawa never made any citizenship agreements with the colony of Van Diemen’s Land, nor its government of Tasmania, nor the federated states of colonial Australia, nor of the colonising British to become Australian citizens, and neither have we made any such citizenship agreement with the Commonwealth Government of Australia to become citizens of colonial Australia.
Given these truths, Premier, will you, on behalf of the Tasmanian Government, either provide evidence to the contrary that the palawa ceded their rights or otherwise acknowledge that palawa are not citizens of Australia?
ANSWER
Honourable Speaker, I thank Dr Woodruff for the question. I also acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we meet today, as capably read by the honourable Speaker prior to this session of parliament.
The legalities of what you speak of, I will need to take on notice. I am very mindful, having had some very positive discussions more recently with members of the TAC (Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre) and TRACA (Tasmanian Regional Aboriginal Community Alliance) on a range of issues. I very much appreciated the hospitality of the TAC and I see members in the gallery. I recently participated in the wukalina Walk, albeit just for one night, and we had some good discussions about ways forward when it comes to truth telling. They were very honest and open discussions where I gave a commitment to meet with the TAC in early December. That commitment remains about ways forward. It was a very open and honest discussion, particularly post the referendum on 14 October last year, about where we need to, through discussion, truth telling, information and positive engagement, and move reconciliation and our relationship with our First Nations people forward.
Part of those discussions is our commitment to Closing the Gap. We can only move forward and bridge the gap regarding unacceptable incarceration rates, unacceptable life expectancy and unacceptable levels of educational attainment. We have some to do and we have made some progress in some of those areas. I am committed to talking with and listening to, most importantly, the Tasmanian Aboriginal people, the TAC and indeed all Tasmanians who identify as Aboriginal.
As to the question more specifically that you ask, I will have to get some information, and there are matters about legal proceedings underway at this present time which I need to be very mindful of. My commitment to closing the gap and reconciliation remains.
The SPEAKER – I note that the answer went over time, but I think it was appropriate to allow that, if the House will give me that latitude.
SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION
Dr WOODRUFF – A supplementary question, Speaker?
The SPEAKER – I will hear the supplementary question.
Dr WOODRUFF – Premier, will you bring that advice you have taken on notice back to parliament to report?
The SPEAKER – The question was taken on notice. The Premier will undertake to provide the answer to the House. Did you have a timeframe in your question?
Dr WOODRUFF – No, the question was: will he bring it back? He did not say who is taking on notice and who he is going to give it to. Will he bring it back to the parliament? Can he give us an indication of the timeframe we might expect?
Mr ROCKLIFF – Dr Woodruff, I will make best endeavours. I do have to be mindful of legal proceedings and what is able to be discussed in this place. To the supplementary question, I will make absolute best endeavours to provide as much information as possible.
The SPEAKER – Just so that members know, my expectation is that when a question is taken on notice in the House, wherever possible, the answer is given in the House, or at least as much of an answer as possible. That would be my expectation of all ministers. So far, I think that has been upheld quite well.
