The Territory Labor Government has released its response to the Treaty Commission's Final Report (the Response), which was tabled in Parliament on 28 June 2022.
The core elements of the Response are that the Government continues to support the development of the treaty process in the NT, in a way that aligns with the aspirations of Aboriginal Territorians, working at their own pace; and has established a Treaty Unit within the Office of Aboriginal Affairs to support next‑steps in the treaty process.
The Response also notes the Treaty-Making Framework and pathway presented in the Treaty Report are complex and will require further consideration against existing law and policy, as well as concurrent Commonwealth initiatives like Makarrata and the First Nations Voice to Parliament, and consultation with Aboriginal Territorians and other stakeholders.
The NT Government will work with Aboriginal Land Councils to establish First Nations Forums through which Aboriginal Territorians can participate in development of a Territory-wide treaty and truth telling process, including truth-telling itself.
In addition, the Government will continue to build capacity in communities through existing initiatives such as Local Decision Making, and align with NT Government commitments under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
See here to read the Final Report here.
Read the Response here here.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Treaty and Local Decision Making Selena Uibo
"Since its delivery, the Territory Labor Government has been carefully considering the Treaty Report and its recommendations, and discussing them with key stakeholders.
"What is clear is that the pathway to treaty will be complex and require more work to inform development of a final treaty-making framework.
"This work is likely to be influenced by developments nationally, namely the Commonwealth's own treaty agenda and the development of First Nations Voices at the local, regional and national levels.
"Careful consideration will also need to be given to how treaties recognise, interface with and build on the various existing laws, policies and structures devoted to recognising, protecting and advancing the rights and interests of Aboriginal Territorians."
Northern Territory Government
