This year's NAIDOC Week theme is Voice Treaty Truth, and in a speech at the Tasmanian Aboriginal Corporation's flag-raising ceremony on Monday, Albert van Zetten strongly personally supported the theme.
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The City of Launceston mayor said Aboriginal people should be applauded for their strength in surviving invasion and dispossession, and that he supported the Uluru Statement.
"I personally believe it's time for Australia to enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to have significant and lasting change," he said. "This is only possible if we all understand and accept the truth of history. A treaty can not be achieved unless we have a shared, truthful understanding."
The 2017 Uluru Statement From the Heart called for an Aboriginal voice in parliament enshrined in the constitution, and a treaty between Aboriginal people and government, which would legislate land rights, funding for services, and so on.
Councillor Tim Walker said it would be "amazing" for the City of Launceston to officially call for a treaty.
Frances Vinall
Frances Vinall is a journalist at The Examiner, Launceston. Contact her at frances.vinall@examiner.com.au
Frances Vinall is a journalist at The Examiner, Launceston. Contact her at frances.vinall@examiner.com.au
