One year ago today, the Territory Labor Government signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding with the four Northern Territory land councils to work towards a Treaty.

The historic Barunga Agreement marked a huge step forward in improving the lives of Aboriginal Territorians.

In the year since, the Territory Labor Government has appointed the NT’s inaugural Treaty Commissioner, former Australian of the Year Professor Mick Dodson AM, who started work in March to consult with Aboriginal Territorians to ultimately establish a Treaty with the NT Government.

So far, the Treaty Commissioner has met with peak Aboriginal organisations in Darwin, Alice Springs and on Groote Eylandt.

He will be at Barunga this weekend and has trips to Katherine and Tennant Creek planned in the coming weeks. Visits to other major centres, including attending the Garma Festival, will follow.

In addition to its work towards a Treaty, the Territory Labor Government is continuing to empower Aboriginal communities with its Local Decision Making (LDM) Agenda, which is helping support communities to realise their social and economic potential.

Four LDM agreements have been signed with Aboriginal communities or regional elders so far, as well as three statements of commitment.

These agreements empower Aboriginal Territorians to determine the direction and governance of things such as healthcare, justice, housing, education and childcare, so they best serve their communities.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Selena Uibo.

“The Territory Labor Government promised to deliver a Treaty and in the past year, we have taken enormous strides in doing so with the appointment of highly respected Professor Dodson as the NT’s first ever Treaty Commissioner.

“The Barunga Agreement committed the Northern Territory to a new path of reconciliation, one we have been walking the past year not only with the appointment of Professor Dodson but with the continued signing of LDM agreements across the Territory.

“These partnerships ensure decisions for communities are locally led. Local decisions are the best decisions.

“The Territory Labor Government has also increased funding for the Barunga Sport and Cultural Festival, an important annual celebration of local Aboriginal culture, which I am proud to support in my electorate of Arnhem.”

Quotes attributable to Treaty Commissioner, Professor Mick Dodson, AM.

“The key objective of any Treaty in the Northern Territory must be to achieve real change and substantive, long term benefits for Aboriginal people.

“I was in Alice Springs for four days this week, where I met with eight key Aboriginal organisations and presented to the NTPS Aboriginal Employment Forum.

“Here, and in other places I have visited, I have been enormously encouraged by the high level of interest in Treaty and the willingness of organisations to get involved.”

Quotes attributable to Northern Land Council Chief Executive, Marion Scrymgour.

“The NLC looks forward to working closely with the NT Government and the other NT Land Councils, to develop a Treaty that will advance and secure the interests of traditional Aboriginal owners in the Top End and serve us all for many years into the future.

“There is a lot of hard work yet to be done. The NLC will sit down with the Independent Treaty Commissioner, Professor Mick Dodson, at our next NLC Full Council meeting later this month.

“I’m sure all members of the NLC are looking forward to hearing what Commissioner Dodson has to say – and of course letting him know our thoughts on behalf of traditional owners.”

Media contact: Kim Stephens 0417 683 144