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Dear Foxy,

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You wrote :

1. « I was in primary school in Darwin in the late 60s early 70s … »
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Unfortunately, I grew up not knowing my father, but I finally managed to track him down and flew to Tennant Creek a few years ago and tied some plastic flowers on his grave with some wire. There was a scorching hot desert wind blowing out there and I couldn’t find any real flowers in Tenant Creek anyway.
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2. « … every effort should be made to listen to indigenous people's solutions because past efforts directed from Canberra have failed. »

Listen, yes, but allow me to add : … intelligently and compassionately.
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3. « A treaty and a constitutionally enshrined advisory body have to be considered in this light. To me, they are entirely serviceable mechanisms for greater self-determination. Our notions of democracy and egalitarianism, while admirable, should not mean we blindly close ourselves off to appropriate tweaks such as these. »

I agree the mechanisms you mention are fine. If, by miracle, the referendum succeeds, the message will be loud and clear and there will be nothing much to argue about – except, perhaps, whether the Makarata should take the form of a treaty or simply statutory law.

I, personally, prefer the statutory law option as it is less confrontational in form than a treaty stipulating the terms of an agreement concluded between a particular group of Australian citizens, our indigenous peoples, and the federal government, presumably representing the rest of the nation.

If, however, the referendum fails, plan B – if there is one – will be open to dispute. In my view, the best option would be to set up a well-structured lobby to state and federal parliaments and governments and employ some of our well-seasoned politicians and civil servants just as all the other major organisations do in this country with a certain success – if not a success certain.

I don't see how anyone could possibly object to that.

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Oups ! That was meant for SteeleRedux (not Foxy).

Sorry about that.

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I received a referendum booklet yesterday & the very first page contains contains the words "What may change in the Constitution".
Call me whatever you like but the term 'may' is definitely not a term I want to base anything on let alone the future of this Nation by handing power to hate-consumed activists & I'm definitely not referring to the Aborigines.
Don't for a moment believe all the sudden increase of Australian Indigenous are indigenous !

Dear Banjo,

I can't possibly object to that (smile).

As a Treaty comes into effect by law it will close all mining resources, like coal, iron ore, oil exploration, and reduce broad acre cropping and irrigation, logging, housing developments, as it disturbs the environment and redirects water.

These are the things that are sacred to aboriginals, and they want preserved. As the WA Cultural Heritage Act envisaged and promoted by the Greens and Teals. Currently it is these resources Australia produces that China and India want. They will then take it by force to keep their economies functioning. There are too many weak women in politics to see how to protect and provide for the future of this Nation. We need strong leadership to stand against bullies, instead of submitting to bullies.

Progress has been slow but important steps have been taken
on state and territory levels by governments in Queensland,
South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, and ACT.

Every treaty has its own challenges and complications and it
is too early to tell whether these processes will result in
meaningful settlements. Nevertheless they do demonstrate
that treaties are a matter of political will and not legal
impossibility.

We can be optimistic because looking towards the referendum -
the existence of treaty processes across the country suggests
Australians are ready to deal with the unfinished business of
colonisation and its consequences.

Also it is important to remember that modern treaties differ
from those negotiated in colonial periods. They are more
technical and legally complex and are reached against a
long history of unequitable relationships. Most importantly
they will also be subject to Australian Law.