Following Labor's resounding federal election win, prominent Tasmanian Aboriginal figure Michael Mansell has called on prime minister Anthony Albanese to resurrect national Treaty talks.
In acknowledging the Voice to Parliament referendum loss "spooked the Albanese government into dropping its promise for a Treaty," the former Tasmanian Aboriginal Land Council chair and longtime activist says Labor's landslide election result provides an opportunity "to get Treaty talks back front and centre".
"Land Councils from the Top End to Tasmania are ready to send a delegation to see the Prime Minister about beginning Treaty talks," Mr Mansell said.
Mr Mansell says Aboriginal people have "always accepted that a national Treaty is far better than state treaties," arguing a nationwide Treaty model offers a single, more equitable standard of justice instead of six.
"With state treaties some Aborigines will get something while others get nothing," Mr Mansell said.
"A national Treaty that delivers land returns and empowerment ensures most Aborigines benefit."
Following the election, independent Senator Lidia Thorpe included "a real, funded commitment to Truth and Treaty" as a priority of hers for the next term of parliament, while saying re-elected Member for Lingiari, Marion Scrymgour "has been out there calling for Labor to revisit Truth and Treaty".
The Coalition remain against Treaty, with Michaelia Cash telling Sky News before the election voting for Labour equated to a vote for Voice, Treaty and Truth-telling.
"But God help Australia if they wake up on Sunday and Adam Bandt is running this country with Mr Albanese, because let's have a look at the rude shock that awaits Australians: You will get Voice Treaty truth," the Western Australian senator said.
Northern Territory senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, who earlier this week defected to the Liberals, told Sky before the election Australia's process towards a Treaty is turning into a "a rent-seeking activity".
"If we treated everybody as Australians, if we supported those on the basis of need, we would avoid situations like this, as opposed to blanketing everybody who is of Indigenous heritage in this country," Senator Price told Sky News.
Preceding the Voice to Parliament vote Mr Mansell said a failed referendum would "permanently marginalise Aboriginal people," arguing "whites will have a right to govern and we a right to be governed".
"The outcome is permanent constitutional discrimination – people other than Indigenous peoples will have a right to collectively make decisions inside and outside parliament – if they can get there," he wrote in July 2023, via the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre.
Mr Mansell said the first step is to get the Mr Albanese to "recommit" to a Treaty.
"Mr Albanese was always positive about a Treaty following a successful referendum on the Voice," Mr Mansell said.
"When the Voice failed to gain broad support, the Prime Minister felt he lacked a mandate to pursue a Treaty.
"Based on the consultation, Parliament can proceed with a national Treaty which binds states and federal governments, the courts and law enforcement, empowers Aboriginal communities to take greater control over their communities, and returns stolen lands over a period of time."
Last year Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy confirmed neither Treaty nor Truth-telling would be revived before the recent federal election, however Mr Mansell said the election outcome gives the prime minister a "clear mandate" to pursue a Treaty.
"We will call on the PM to legislate a Treaty process that requires broad consultation throughout the country," he said.
