Introduction by Croakey: The future of Treaty in Victoria is precarious, with the Liberal National Party Coalition – which has pledged to scrap the hard-won Treaty – now having a significant lead over the Labor Government, according to Roy Morgan polling released today.
Yet mainstream health organisations, in Victoria and nationally, have been noticeably silent about the importance of Treaty for the health and wellbeing of First Nations people in the lead up to the election.
In the article below, Aboriginal health leader Dr Jill Gallagher AO, a proud Gunditjmara woman from Western Victoria who served as Victoria’s first Treaty Advancement Commissioner from 2017 to 2019, calls on health organisations and workers “to stand with Aboriginal people and publicly support Treaty – to advocate for its protection, regardless of the outcome of the election”.
Jill Gallagher writes:
If Victoria is serious about health equity, mainstream health providers must stand with Aboriginal people and defend Treaty, regardless of who wins at the upcoming state election.
Treaty is about more than recognition – it is about truth, justice, self-determination and the right of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to shape their own futures.
For the health sector, these principles are fundamental to addressing longstanding inequities and building a system in which Aboriginal people are heard, respected, and empowered.
Treaty provides an opportunity to strengthen Aboriginal self-determination and ensure Aboriginal people have a meaningful voice in decisions that affect their Communities.
For mainstream health providers, supporting Treaty is consistent with commitments to equity, cultural safety, partnership and better health outcomes. It’s vital that these commitments extend beyond organisational statements and reconciliation action plans.
Commitments require a genuine willingness to speak up when the rights, leadership and aspirations of Aboriginal people are at stake.
If a future Coalition or One Nation Government seeks to repeal Victoria’s Treaty progress, then mainstream health providers must be prepared to respond, because hospitals, community health services, peak bodies and other health organisations have considerable influence.
And they can use that influence to advocate for policies that respect Aboriginal self-determination, support Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and protect the progress we have made towards Treaty.
Mainstream health providers should publicly affirm their support for the continuation of Treaty in Victoria, engage with Aboriginal leaders and organisations, and advocate collectively to ensure Treaty remains a priority across the political landscape.
Aboriginal organisations like VACCHO should not have to carry the responsibility for protecting Treaty alone. Genuine partnership requires mainstream organisations to demonstrate their commitment through genuine, meaningful action.
As we all know, Treaty has been a long time coming – the hard work of many generations has gone into getting us to where we are today.
Our people have been calling for Treaty for the past 200 years.
Deep disappointment
I am so deeply disappointed to hear that the Opposition would rip up Australia’s historic first Treaty if they were to form government. This would make them the first government anywhere in the world in nearly two centuries to scrap a Treaty with its First Peoples.
And they say they want to get this started within their first 100 days.
Imagine decades of work, gone in only days. Is this really what they want to be remembered for?
The Coalition say they want to Close the Gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people, but how exactly do they plan to do that if they scrap Treaty?
The Productivity Commission’s Closing the Gap review recognised that Aboriginal people are the experts on our own lives and Communities.
In fact, the Commission also highlighted the Victorian Treaty model as an example of best practice.
Treaty will help close the gap by ensuring accountability and measurable action, something that the many Aboriginal advisory committees over the years have failed to deliver.
Of course, repealing Treaty would not repeal history – because history does not simply vanish because a government decides it is inconvenient for them. Repealing Treaty sends the message that not only can promises be withdrawn, but that real and delivered change can be torn up and thrown away.
Shared responsibility
Treaty has the transformative power of sharing the great gift of 65,000 years of rich Aboriginal culture with all Victorians.
Treaty means better outcomes for our People, by creating healthier communities, stronger connection to our cultures and fairer systems.
In the same way Treaty is a gift and invitation to every Victorian, it is also a shared responsibility.
Treaty is not only the responsibility of Aboriginal people or government. It is also a responsibility for the wider Victorian community, because I believe we all have a role to play in understanding the history of the land on which we live.
We all have a role to play in challenging racism and misinformation. In listening respectfully, learning from Aboriginal voices and supporting fair and just processes.
Recognising the world’s oldest living culture as the foundation of our shared future. A chance to walk forward together as a state – on stronger, fairer, and more equal ground.
I call on all health organisations and workers across Victoria to stand with Aboriginal people and publicly support Treaty – to advocate for its protection, regardless of the outcome of the election.
The question is not whether the health sector can afford to speak up – it is whether we can afford not to.
See Croakey’s archive of articles on Treaty in Victoria
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