Push for a treaty divides delegates
Patricia Karvelas; 21/4/08
An Aboriginal treaty centred on a formal constitutional recognition and “settlement” with indigenous Australia has been thrust back on the political agenda by the 2020 ideas summit. The summit’s indigenous participants overwhelmingly argued for a new rights framework and a renegotiated relationship with the federal Government. But the move split indigenous delegates. A core group of about 20 of the 100-strong stream argued for practical measures focused on economic development to solve indigenous poverty. The Rudd Government appeared lukewarm on the treaty and constitutional recognition proposal. Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin downplayed the resolution in her report with co-chair Jackie Huggins when she gave her oral report to the summit.
See: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23571474-5013404,00.html
Tags: Aboriginal, Australia, Reconciliation