South Australia's new government says it wants to kickstart treat talks with the state's Indigenous leaders as one of its priorities in Aboriginal Affairs.
It's been four years since a Labor government first started discussions with three Aboriginal nations, with their aims of finalising a treaty scuttled by former Premier Steven Marshall's election win in 2018.
Rekindling those negotiations will be a focus for new premier Peter Malinauskas' and his government alongside delivering a state-based Voice to parliament.
On Tuesday, South Australian Aboriginal Affairs Minister, Kyam Maher reaffirmed to NITV News that commitment.
“The new premier, Peter Malinauskas is absolutely committed to restarting the treaty process and picking up the other tenants from the Uluru Statement from the Heart... voice and truth,” he said.
“Unless something is designed for Aboriginal people, by Aboriginal people, then it won’t work.
“It is a huge task, one that I'm really looking forward to and a little bit apprehensive of because it is such a big task of working with the Aboriginal community here in SA over the next four years and beyond."
Ngarrindjeri man and Professor at the University of Technology Sydney, Daryle Rigney, worked alongside the SA Labor government during treaty talks before they lost power in 2018. He said Treaty and a Voice to parliament go hand-in-hand.
“Those things that you establish under a treaty arrangement, I would imagine in our community context would be no different to the kinds of things that you’d be saying at a voice level," he told NITV News.
“If it’s going to be able to function effectively at the local region, it has to be able to bring people together to have conversations to express their views and to develop their positions on things that affects their lives."
New South Australia Premier Peter Malinauskas. Source: AAP
Yadu Health upgrade coming
The new SA government will also invest $13.35 million to rebuild Ceduna’s Aboriginal health service, Yadu Health, which is deteriorating, with 30 to 40 per cent of the building deemed unsafe with asbestos and mould.
Mirning and Kokatha woman, Kerry Colbung was the inaugural Chairperson of the SA Aboriginal Advisory Council, which was set up by the SA Government in 2008, designed to advise the Premier on Aboriginal Affairs across the state.
Also the former Director of the Ceduna Koonibba Aboriginal Health Service, now Yadu Health, she hopes the new government will stay true to all of its policies for Aboriginal people.
“There’s a lot of history sitting here, and it’s really important that under this Labor Government, that they give a strong commitment to ensuring that the funding and the election promise of $13 million, does come through for the Aboriginal community here in Ceduna,” said Ms Colbung.
“Quite too often, our needs in Aboriginal communities fall in between the gaps and I think both sides of politics need to commit to it, which it sounds like Labor have.
“Now's the time to have a look at how the government is going to invest in regional, rural and remote Aboriginal communities in South Australia, to ensure that people are supported in those places that they live in.
“There’s a lot of noise, there’s commitment, but I’m still looking for the substance to the policy.”
SA Premier Peter Malinauskas (centre) and Aboriginal Affairs Minister, Kyam Maher (right), with Traditional Owners during a visit to the APY lands, Oct 2021. Source: Facebook. (Kyam Maher MLC)
Other polices slated for investment
Nunga Courts - Legislate to protect and strengthen the Nunga Courts so that they have a formal and recognised place in the state justice system.
Caring for Country - The establishment of a First Nations Ministerial Advisory Group to talk directly to the Minister for the Environment.
The employment of 15 extra Aboriginal Rangers in SA’s National Parks and Wildlife Service, and to ensure Aboriginal people have a voice in the future of the Murray River.
Gayles Law - $5.2 million will be committed over four years to ensure that nurses are safe and that quality clinical services are maintained in remote communities.
Tauondi College - The state government will ensure Tauondi College is owned by Aboriginal people, for Aboriginal people and give it a permanent foundation in the community on Kaurna land.
Monuments - $1 million will be committed to the design and delivery of new statues and monuments. The state government will consult with Aboriginal communities to identify the first six Aboriginal leaders to be commemorated.
