2022 Year in Review

W H A T I S T H E F I R S T
N A T I O N ’ S V O I C E T O
P A R L I A M E N T A N D W H Y
D O W E N E E D A
R E F E R E N D U M
O N I T ?
Gen Marcocci
Scientific evidence shows Indigenous peoples have lived in Australia for more
than 65,000 years. Yet, Australia’s colonial history, which began around 200 years
ago, has set quite a negative tone for First people’s relationship with settlercoloniser
peoples and non-indigenous peoples.
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Despite significant pressure on the Australian government throughout history to
sign a treaty with First Nation peoples, there has not been one. Australia is the
only commonwealth country to have not signed a treaty, whilst other treaties
were established early on by New Zealand, Canada and the United States.
THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT’S PREVIOUS ATTEMPTS AT UNITY
WITH FIRST NATIONS PEOPLES
There have been some symbolic gestures, beginning with Former Prime Minister
Paul Keating. He delivered the famous Redfern speech in 1992 addressing the
violent dispossession of the country’s traditional owners. Following this, Former
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd delivered an apology in 2008 for policies that inflicted
incomprehensible suffering on Indigenous peoples. While well-meaning, these
acknowledgements and attempts of offering an olive branch have not transpired
into action or treaty.