By WA Greens Senator Dorinda Cox

It is clear the Prime Minister is walking away from Truth and Treaty. Despite Labor previously committing to implement the Uluru Statement in full, today Anthony Albanese treated it like the elephant in the rom saying let’s leave it to the states and territories.

Seems he needs a lesson in his own constitutional powers, or is he doing this because of the power of Blak leaders and activists in this country like the late Dr Yunupingu who have left a legacy of fighting for country and culture.

If Labor abandons its commitment it will be an utter failure for First Nations Justice in this country, it can not continue to sit in our sacred ceremonial places with our leaders and stare down the tip of the spear, without knowing and understanding the consequences of truth, it will come back to haunt you.

Labor needs to abandon the appeal on the Yunupingu case and publicly support the Greens Bill for a Federal Truth and Justice Commission aka Makarrata.

The dire reporting again on the Closing the Gap targets need us to be focused on the resilience and strength of our First People, the survival of our culture and our connection to our country must never be diminished or removed under western systems.

Standing on the shoulders of our cultural giants is about continuing the fight they left for us and survival requires us to navigate the service systems, and the legal battles to protect our legacies of sovereignty to be truly recognised.

The Greens are ready to work with the new Minister to get our bill for a real Truth and Justice Commission passed and we will continue to stand with Gumatj and all clans and nations around Australia who are entitled to just terms compensation for mining and the destruction of our traditional lands and waters.