Senator Lidia Thorpe has condemned the Albanese Government’s proposed $3 billion sell-off of Defence land, warning that any divestment of public land without the free, prior and informed consent of Traditional Owners repeats the same colonial theft that First Peoples have endured for generations
Senator Lidia Thorpe has condemned the Albanese Government’s proposed $3 billion sell-off of Defence land, warning that any divestment of public land without the free, prior and informed consent of Traditional Owners repeats the same colonial theft that First Peoples have endured for generations
Quotes attributable to Lidia Thorpe, Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Djab Wurrung independent Victorian Senator:
“This looks like one of the biggest sell-offs of public land in recent history. We need to be clear about one thing from the start: this is stolen land.
Any sale of public land must be subject to the free, prior and informed consent of Traditional Owners of that land. That is the bare minimum.
Did he talk to any mob before announcing this plan?
In the era of Treaty, selling off Defence land without the consent of Traditional Owners is a slap in the face to First Peoples and is a continuation of the betrayal we have seen from this government since their failed Voice referendum.
Has Albanese completely forgotten his commitment to Treaty? Because flogging off stolen land to corporate developers is a complete betrayal of that promise.
We’ve already seen the horror show of what happens when Defence and government agencies ignore First Peoples. Just look at Lee Point, where the government and Defence Housing Australia ran roughshod over Larrakia people and sacred sites.
This land doesn’t belong to Defence, it doesn’t belong to the Albanese government – it belongs to First Peoples.
Each Traditional Owner group has the right to self-determination. This means they get to decide what happens on their Country and how benefits flow. What cannot happen is another transfer of wealth from stolen land into government coffers and private corporate profits.
The Albanese government must work with each Traditional Owner group affected by this plan.
Land back and reparations must be on the table.”