As Treaty legislation passes Victorian Parliament, Senator Lidia Thorpe has welcomed the historic milestone while calling for self-determination for all First Peoples, real action on ongoing harm, and a national Truth-telling process.
Quotes attributable to Lidia Thorpe, Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Djab Wurrung independent Victorian Senator:
"I congratulate the First Peoples’ Assembly on this historic milestone. And the whole country should recognise the decades of First Peoples' resistance, organising and activism that brought us here.
"I also acknowledge the critical work of the Yoorrook Justice Commission, which has paved the way for Treaty through Truth-telling.
"This Treaty is welcome progress and a good start towards real self-determination. Now I look forward to Traditional Owner groups self-determining what they want for their own Country. That is what Treaty is about.
"I am part of three Traditional Owner groups. On my country, I want land back. I want coal-fired power plants in the Latrobe Valley shut down, and I want justice on the ground for our people. This Treaty must deliver outcomes through real change, not symbolism.
"Treaty in Victoria didn’t start in Parliament. It started with our Elders. I want to acknowledge my Uncle Robbie Thorpe, and so many others, who pushed Labor for this long before they were ready to listen. Elders fought for this, they led this, and they should be celebrated.
"Labor will pat themselves on the back for this moment, but the truth is they are still destroying Country, locking up our people, and forcibly removing our children in huge numbers. I will not congratulate Labor for Treaty while they continue harming our people.
"Albanese needs to take notice of this. The Federal Government has completely stalled since the failed Voice referendum. It’s for Albanese to get over it and move on.
"We need a national Truth-telling Commission, like Yoorrook in Victoria, so we can get on the pathway to national Truth and Treaty.
"Truth and Treaty are nothing to fear — they are about healing, peace, and bringing this nation together."