Senator Lidia Thorpe has condemned the federal government's proposed $3 billion sell-off of Defence land, warning that any divestment of public land without the free, prior and informed consent of Traditional Owners "repeats the same colonial theft that First Peoples have endured for generations".
The Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Djab Wurrung independent senator said the move "looks like one of the biggest sell-offs of public land in recent history".
"We need to be clear about one thing from the start: this is stolen land," she said late on Wednesday.
"Any sale of public land must be subject to the free, prior and informed consent of Traditional Owners of that land. That is the bare minimum.
"Did he talk to any mob before announcing this plan?"
The Victorian senator said that in the era of Treaty, selling off Defence land without the consent of Traditional Owners is "a slap in the face to First Peoples and is a continuation of the betrayal we have seen from this government since their failed Voice referendum".
"Has Albanese completely forgotten his commitment to Treaty? Because flogging off stolen land to corporate developers is a complete betrayal of that promise," Senator Thorpe said.
"We've already seen the horror show of what happens when Defence and government agencies ignore First Peoples. Just look at Binybara / Lee Point, where the government and Defence Housing Australia ran roughshod over Larrakia people and sacred sites.
"This land doesn't belong to Defence, it doesn't belong to the Albanese government - it belongs to First Peoples."
Senator Thorpe noted that each Traditional Owner group has the right to self-determination.
"This means they get to decide what happens on their Country and how benefits flow. What cannot happen is another transfer of wealth from stolen land into government coffers and private corporate profits," she said.
"The Albanese government must work with each Traditional Owner group affected by this plan. Land back and reparations must be on the table."
A spokesperson for the Department of Defence told National Indigenous Times the Department "will work with Indigenous communities to maintain access arrangements where possible and ensure cultural values are respected during and after divestment".
"Ongoing engagement will guide decisions to support culturally appropriate outcomes," they said.
"Defence will comply with all cultural heritage obligations, including those under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
"Defence will consult with Traditional Owners throughout the divestment process to ensure Indigenous cultural values are identified, respected, and managed appropriately."
